Docker installation of a runtime

You can install and run Boomi runtimes in a containerized Docker deployment as an alternative to installing directly on a virtual machine or server. Docker images are also used when deploying into a Kubernetes cluster by using an Elastic cloud cluster.

You can pull the runtime images directly from Docker Hub. Installation instructions are included in the image’s readmes.

What is Docker

Docker simplifies installation and improves portability of applications such as Boomi’s runtimes. A Docker image bundles the software along with the files required to run that software including OS, libraries, system tools, etc. into a single package that can be easily installed consistently and confidently, especially when scripting runtime provisioning as part of automated devops or CI/CD practice.

A Boomi Docker runtime image includes:

A minimal Linux Alpine or Red Hat Universal Base Image (RHEL, UBI, and Alpine)
The latest Boomi-supported version of Java
Code to retrieve, set up, and execute the Boomi runtime 64-bit Linux installer.

To use the image, you must be familiar with Docker and you must know how to use Docker commands. See the Docker website and the Docker Engine user guide.

The Docker image does NOT include the Boomi runtime application itself, only the installer. As part of installing the container, the image executes the Boomi installer which downloads and installs the runtime as part of the container creation. Once installed, the runtime is self-updating⁠ from the Boomi Platform similar to any other runtime. You do not need to update the Docker image to obtain the latest Boomi Runtime release. Boomi releases updated Docker images when there are changes to how the container runs in your environment, or to apply security patches and updates to the Linux OS or Java.

After installing your runtime with Docker, you will configure and manage the runtime through the Boomi platform user interface or API, like any other runtime.

Before you begin

If choosing to use Docker runtimes, you should be familiar with Docker technology and how to use Docker commands. Docker should be installed on the target servers. The Boomi runtime can be deployed either as standalone Docker containers or orchestrated using Docker Compose.

System requirements

The system requirements for the Boomi runtime including supported software versions, resource allocations, and other infrastructure considerations are the same for Docker installs as they are for non-Docker installs, with a few exceptions:

Docker installs only support Linux OS, 64 bit
Docker images include the necessary Java version. You cannot configure the Docker runtimes to use an external Java.

Runtime system requirements:

Additional considerations

If you have experience working with Docker images and want to customize the Boomi images, you can download the source code for an image from Bitbucket. Creating a customized image may be desired in situations requiring unique security, networking, or environmental configurations. However keep in mind, if you choose to use a customized image, you will be responsible for maintaining that image to keep it current with Boomi image updates and security patches.
Boomi Docker images are typically released alongside the regularly scheduled Boomi Runtime releases for convenience, however occasionally are released off-cycle. Changes are announced in the Release Notes. Refer to the Changelog for detailed revision history.

Installation

Navigate to the Docker Hub image and follow the installation instructions included in the readme.