Docker logging drivers - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a Docker logging driver?

A Docker logging driver is a tool that controls how and where Docker container logs are stored or sent. It helps collect logs from containers for monitoring and troubleshooting.

beginner

Name three common Docker logging drivers.

Common Docker logging drivers include: json-file (default), syslog, and journald. Each sends logs to different places or formats.

beginner

How do you set a logging driver for a Docker container?

Use the option --log-driver when running a container, for example: docker run --log-driver=syslog alpine echo hello

beginner

What is the default Docker logging driver and what format does it use?

The default logging driver is json-file. It stores logs as JSON-formatted files on the host machine.

intermediate

Why might you choose the syslog logging driver over the default?

Syslog sends logs to the system's centralized logging service, making it easier to manage logs from many containers in one place.

Which Docker logging driver stores logs as JSON files on the host?

A syslog

B journald

C json-file

D none

The json-file driver stores container logs as JSON files on the host machine.

How do you specify a logging driver when starting a Docker container?

A docker build --log-driver=driver_name

B docker run --log-driver=driver_name

C docker create --log-driver=driver_name

D docker start --log-driver=driver_name

The --log-driver option is used with docker run to set the logging driver.

Which logging driver sends logs to the system's centralized logging service on Linux?

A journald

B none

C json-file

D fluentd

The journald driver sends logs to systemd's journal service on Linux.

What happens if you set the logging driver to 'none'?

A No logs are collected

B Logs are sent to syslog

C Logs are stored in JSON files

D Logs are sent to journald

The 'none' logging driver disables log collection for the container.

Why use a logging driver like fluentd?

A To format logs as plain text files

B To store logs only on the local host

C To disable logging

D To send logs to a centralized log collector for analysis

Fluentd driver sends logs to a centralized collector for easier log management and analysis.

Explain what a Docker logging driver is and why it is important.

Think about how logs help you understand what your container is doing.

Describe how to change the logging driver for a Docker container and give an example.

Remember the command you use to start containers.