# How do I use my Docker server?

https://www.seturack.com/en/knowledgebase/article/how-to-use-docker-server

1. In the panel, open **My servers** and click your server.
2. On the **Overview** tab, wait for the **App** row to say "Docker is ready". The page refreshes itself.
3. Note the values in the **Connection address**, **Username** and **Password** rows.
4. Connect from your computer's terminal, using your own address instead of this example: `ssh root@203.0.113.5`
5. Check that Docker works: `docker run --rm hello-world`
6. In the folder with your own `compose.yaml`, start your services: `docker compose up -d`

## What's on the server

- Docker and Docker Compose are installed. There is no other app or web interface, so the panel shows no site address.
- Container logs are capped so they can't fill the disk: at most 3 files per container, 10 MB each.
- The firewall (ufw) is on, and only port 22 for SSH is open to the outside.
- fail2ban watches SSH, and operating system security updates install automatically.

## Be careful when publishing ports

**Docker bypasses ufw rules for the ports you publish.** Any port you publish with `ports:` in `compose.yaml` is open to the outside, even without `ufw allow`. So don't publish services that should only be reached internally, such as databases. Containers can reach each other over the Docker network.

For a service you run outside Docker, open the port with ufw yourself: `ufw allow 8080/tcp`

## Related articles

- [Connecting with SSH and resetting your password](https://www.seturack.com/en/knowledgebase/article/how-to-connect-with-ssh)
- [Connecting your own domain](https://www.seturack.com/en/knowledgebase/article/how-to-connect-your-own-domain)

**No server yet?** [Order a server with Docker installed](https://www.seturack.com/en/docker-vps): you choose the size and pay for what you choose.