CloudPanel Docker Reverse Proxy Setup and Container Integration

• What is CloudPanel's Approach to Docker Application Management?

• How to Manage Several Docker Applications?

• CloudPanel Docker: System Requirements and Installation

• 2 Steps to Set Up Docker Containers with CloudPanel

• Latest Docker Hub Changes in 2025

• 4 Steps to Configure CloudPanel as a Reverse Proxy for Docker Applications

• CloudPanel Docker: Security Best Practices

• 9 Steps to Use Reverse Dockge Proxy and Docker Applications to Set Up CloudPanel

• Common Issues and Solutions with CloudPanel Docker

• FAQs

• Summary

What is CloudPanel's Approach to Docker Application Management?

CloudPanel Docker is a lightweight, open-source hosting control panel built for cloud environments. It provides reverse proxy capabilities for Docker applications, rather than managing containers. It integrates Docker into the hosting workflow, enabling efficient management of containerized applications.

The CloudPanel Docker platform has a cloud-native design that provides:

• Direct container management through an interface
• Built-in reverse proxy configuration using NGINX
• Automated SSL certificate generation
• Resource optimization for running various Dockerized applications

How to Manage Several Docker Applications?

Tip	What to Do & Why It Matters	Details
Separate Directories for Each App	Put each Docker application in its folder. Keep configs, Dockerfiles, and volumes isolated.	- Prevents accidental overwrites. Makes updates and troubleshooting way easier.
Assign Unique Ports	Every app needs its port. Map container ports to different host ports to avoid conflicts.	Zero port overlap leads to fewer problems. For example, assign one app to "8000" & another to "9000".
Use Docker Compose for Management	Use a docker-compose.yml file to define all your apps & their ports in one place.	Simplifies starting/stopping everything. Keeps your setup DRY and scalable.
Configure Reverse Proxy (e.g., NGINX)	Set up a reverse proxy to route traffic to the right app based on "domain" or "path".	Lets you use standard ports ("80/443") for all apps. Cleaner URLs, better SSL, less firewall hassle.
CloudPanel Domain Management	Use CloudPanel to manage the domains of each app.	Each app can have its own domain or subdomain.
Track Resource Usage	Watch CPU, RAM, and disk usage.	Too many containers can choke a small server. Scale up or split when you hit limits.
Clean Up Old Containers/Resources	Remove unused containers and images to free up ports and resources.	Prevents port conflicts and keeps your server lean.
Use Custom Docker Networks	Use custom networks to isolate apps or allow them to communicate with each other.	Better security, no accidental cross-talk unless you want it.
Automate Port Assignment (Optional)	Use scripts to find and assign free ports for new containers.	No manual port hunting. It leads to fewer human errors, especially when scaling up.
Plan for Updates & Downtime	Update Docker or reboot the host to remove all apps.	For high availability, consider distributing apps across various hosts or VMs.

CloudPanel Docker: System Requirements and Installation

1. Ensure you have the following requirements available:

• A VPS running Debian 10 or later ("Hetzner" recommended)
• 2GB RAM and 20GB disk space
• Root or sudo access
• Basic familiarity with Linux commands

2. Then, update your system and install CloudPanel.
3. Install Docker Compose for multi-container management using these commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install -y docker-ce

2 Steps to Set Up Docker Containers with CloudPanel

Step 1: Create Your First Docker Container

1. Create a directory structure:

sudo mkdir -p /docker-vol/uptime-kuma

cd /docker-vol/uptime-kuma

2. Create a docker-compose.yml file:

version: '3'

services:

  uptime-kuma:

    image: louislam/uptime-kuma:latest

    container\_name: uptime-kuma

    volumes:

      \- ./uptime-kuma-data:/app/data

    ports:

      \- 8001:3001

    restart: unless-stopped

3. Start the container:

docker-compose up -d

Step 2: Configure CloudPanel as a Reverse Proxy

CloudPanel uses NGINX integration to route traffic to your containers:

1. Log into CloudPanel at https://your-vps-ip:8443.
2. Create a new site for your Docker app.
3. Edit the Nginx configuration.
4. Generate an SSL certificate via Let's Encrypt integration.

Latest Docker Hub Changes in 2025

Change Area	What’s New in Docker Hub 2025	Why It Matters/What to Do	Focus in 2025
Pull Rate Limits	No new rate limits enforced as of April 2025. Old limits stay: 100 pulls/6h (unauthenticated), 200/6h (Personal). Unlimited for paid users (fair use applies).	No surprise disruptions. Paid users get unlimited pulls. Free users get authenticated services for higher limits.	Pull rates
Storage Charges	Storage-based billing delayed. No charges for storage right now.	No need to rush to clean up images.	Storage billing
Subscription Plans	Unified plans: Personal (free), Pro, Team, Business. All paid plans now bundle Docker Desktop, Build Cloud, Scout, and Testcontainers Cloud.	Easier to manage, more value per plan. Pro and Team pricing increased.	Subscription changes
Usage Dashboard	Pulls Usage dashboard added for visibility into the organization’s image pulls.	Track your usage, avoid hitting limits, and optimize workflows.	Usage dashboard
Native Cloud Integration	CloudPanel and Docker Hub support AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean. This integration offers out-of-the-box automated scaling, a built-in firewall, and object storage.	Deploy and scale across clouds with less hassle. Manage security and storage from a single location.	Native cloud integration
Registry Alternatives	CloudPanel integrates alternative registries (e.g., Quay.io) and switches sources.	Stay up even if Docker Hub limits are set. Local caching further reduces downtime.	Registry alternatives
Multi-Architecture Support	Expanded support for ARM, x86, and MIPS. Edge and IoT deployments are easier.	Build and deploy for any platform, including cloud, edge, or IoT.	Multi-architecture
Security and Compliance	Enhanced security for business plans, such as RBAC, SOC 2 Type 2, & compliance reporting.	Stay compliant, manage access, & keep your business secure.	Security changes

4 Steps to Configure CloudPanel as a Reverse Proxy for Docker Applications

Step 1: Install CloudPanel on Your VPS

Start by setting up a Virtual Private Server (VPS) with a reputable provider (e.g., Hetzner). Once your VPS is ready, install CloudPanel. Follow the official installation instructions provided on the CloudPanel website.

Step 2: Install Docker

After installing CloudPanel, set up Docker on your VPS. Docker enables you to run applications in isolated containers, simplifying deployment & management.

Step 3: Deploy Your Dockerized Application

With Docker installed, you can deploy your desired application. For example, if you want to track uptime, you can deploy Uptime Kuma. Ensure the app's data is available in a designated directory on your server.

Step 4: Configure CloudPanel for Reverse Proxy

Set up CloudPanel to route external traffic to your Docker application:

• Add a Static Website: In CloudPanel's dashboard, create a "new static website entry".

• Update DNS Records: Log in to your domain registrar's control panel or dashboard. Then, add an 'A' record pointing your chosen subdomain (e.g., app.yourdomain.com) to your VPS's IP address.

• Secure with SSL: Back in CloudPanel, navigate to your new site's SSL/TLS settings. Then, generate a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate to secure your domain.

• Set Up Reverse Proxy Rules: Adjust the configuration within CloudPanel's vHost editor. It lets you direct incoming traffic to the port of your Docker application. This process ensures that requests to your domain are set up on the Docker container.

CloudPanel Docker: Security Best Practices

Area	Security Best Practice for CloudPanel Docker	Why It Matters/How To Do It
Run as a Non-Root User	Always run containers as a non-root user.	Stops attackers from gaining host-level access if a container is not set up.
Update Images	Use docker-compose pull to keep images patched and up to date.	Reduces risk from known vulnerabilities(e.g., outdated images) and easy targets.
Drop Unnecessary Capabilities	Use Docker’s --cap-drop flag to limit what containers can do.	Shrinks the attack surface; containers only get the permissions they need.
Automate Security Scanning	Enable image scanning for vulnerabilities before deploying.	Catches risky packages and misconfigurations early.
Provide Read-Access to Filesystems	Run containers with --read-access and mount volumes as read-access where possible.	Protects against tampering; attackers cannot write to the filesystem.
Limit Resources	Set memory, CPU, and process limits for each container.	Prevents denial-of-service attacks and maintains the stability of your server.
Enable UFW Firewall	Use UFW to restrict access to only necessary ports and services.	Blocks unwanted traffic and reduces exposure.
Apply Two-Factor Authentication	Use 2FA for CloudPanel users.	Adds a strong layer of protection if passwords are not secure.
Track Access Logs	Check CloudPanel and Docker logs for suspicious activity.	Early detection of breaches or misconfigurations.
Enforce SSL Everywhere	Make SSL mandatory for all CloudPanel-managed sites and Docker apps.	Encrypts data in transit, stopping eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Use Trusted Base Images	Only build from official, verified images.	Avoids malware and backdoors hiding in untrusted images.
Conduct Backup Processes	Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 local, 1 offsite.	Ensures you can recover fast from ransomware or accidental deletion.
Enable Security Modules	Use AppArmor, SELinux, or seccomp profiles for containers.	Enforces strict security policies at the OS level.
Docker Network Isolation	Create a dedicated Docker network for each application stack to isolate containers.	Uses the network in your Docker.

9 Steps to Use Reverse Dockge Proxy and Docker Applications to Set Up CloudPanel

Step 1: Provision a Virtual Private Server

Begin by acquiring a VPS with at least 2 GB of RAM & 10 GB of storage. Providers like Hetzner/DigitalOcean/Vultr provide suitable options. Ensure the server runs a compatible Linux distribution (e.g., "Ubuntu"/"Debian").

Step 2: Install and Access CloudPanel

Install CloudPanel on your VPS. Once installed, access the CloudPanel admin interface via https://your-server-ip:8443. Then, create an admin account to manage your server and applications.

Step 3: Configure an Admin Subdomain

To access CloudPanel, create a subdomain (e.g., admin.yourdomain.com). Use an A record in your DNS settings to point it to your server's IP address. Then, add this subdomain to your settings within CloudPanel to secure the admin area.

Step 4: Install Docker and Docker Compose

Update your server's package list and install Docker with Docker Compose. This setup enables you to run & manage containerized applications in an efficient way.

Step 5: Deploy Dockge

Dockge is a user-optimized interface for managing Docker containers. To set it up, follow the steps given below:

• Create the necessary directories for Dockge & Docker stacks within your server's file system.
• Configure Dockge to run on a specific port (e.g., "5000"). It helps ensure it has access to the Docker socket and your stack directories.
• Start Dockge, making it accessible via the designated port.

Step 6: Configure CloudPanel as a Reverse Proxy for Dockge

Within CloudPanel:

• Navigate to the "Sites" section and add a new site as a "Reverse Proxy".
• Specify the 'domain' or 'subdomain' (e.g., dockge.yourdomain.com) and the port Dockge is running on.

• Ensure your DNS settings have an A record that points this domain to your server's IP address.
• Generate an SSL certificate for secure access.

Step 7: Secure Your Setup

To enhance security:

• Restrict File Access: Adjust your server's configuration to prevent unauthorized access.
• Protect Sensitive Files: Set up rules to deny access to files containing key details. Examples include "configuration details", "passwords", or other "private" data.
• Enable Basic Authentication: Use a "username" & "password" to access your apps.

Step 8: Deploy Other Applications

With Dockge and CloudPanel set up:

• Use Dockge to deploy other Dockerized applications.
• For each application:
• Configure a 'new reverse proxy' in CloudPanel.
• Point a "domain" or "subdomain" to your server.
• Generate an SSL certificate.

Step 9: Set Up Backups

To safeguard your data:

• Use CloudPanel's backup features to schedule regular backups of your applications and configurations.
• Integrate via external storage solutions for off-site backups. Examples include "Dropbox"/"Google Drive"/"Amazon S3".
• If using Hetzner, take advantage of their snapshot capabilities for added protection.

Common Issues and Solutions with CloudPanel Docker

Issue Area	Common Problem	Solution/How-To
Container Won’t Start	Docker container fails to launch or is unhealthy	- Check logs via docker logs <container_name>. - Inspect the health check in the Dockerfile. - Restart the container.
Port Conflicts	“Address already in use” error when starting containers	- Run sudo netstat -tuln to find used ports. - Change container port mapping. - Stop conflicting services.
Permission Denied	Can’t access Docker socket or volumes	- Add user to Docker group using sudo usermod -aG docker $USER. - Check volume permissions with chmod.
Volume Mounting Issues	Data not persisting or permission errors on mounts	- Verify volume paths and permissions. - Ensure the correct sharing settings are in Docker Desktop and CloudPanel.
Network Problems	Containers cannot communicate with each other or the internet	- Check network config via docker network ls. - Use user-defined networks. - Fix DNS with the --dns flag.
Reverse Proxy Errors	Nginx returns 502/504 or SSL not working	- Test Nginx config with sudo nginx -t. - Check proxy_pass URLs. - Verify SSL certificate status.
No Space Left	Cannot start containers due to disk space	- Clean up with docker system prune. - Remove unused images, volumes, and containers.
Image Not Found	Pulling the image fails	- Check image name/spelling. - Log in to Docker Hub or registry. - Use an alternative registry if limited.
Cannot Connect to Daemon	Docker commands fail; “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon”	- Start Docker using sudo systemctl start docker. - Check Docker service status.
Reverse Proxy Misroutes	Wrong site loads or traffic not routed	- Double-check the domain and proxy_pass rules in CloudPanel. - Clear browser cache after changes.
SSL Issues	Sites show an insecure warning	- Ensure valid SSL certs in CloudPanel. - Force HTTPS redirect. - Renew expired certificates.
Resource Exhaustion	High CPU or memory usage, containers crash	- Limit resources in Docker run/compose. - Track with docker stats. - Scale down or optimize apps.

FAQs

1. How do I use CloudPanel as a reverse proxy for Docker containers?

Install CloudPanel and Docker and configure your Docker app. Then, use CloudPanel’s NGINX interface to set up reverse proxy rules, SSL, and domain mapping.

2. Does CloudPanel support multi-cloud deployments with Docker?

Yes, CloudPanel integrates with AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean. It enables flexible deployment and scaling of Docker containers across clouds.

3. How do Docker Hub limits affect CloudPanel users?

New Docker Hub limits restrict unauthenticated pulls. CloudPanel users with several containers may need to authenticate or use alternative registries.

4. Can CloudPanel manage Docker container scaling?

CloudPanel integrates with Docker orchestration tools, including Docker Swarm & Kubernetes. This process allows flexible scaling and management of containerized workloads through external systems.

5. What if CloudPanel can’t connect to Docker containers?

If CloudPanel can’t connect to Docker containers, it will log the issue and alert the user to check for errors. Common problems include misconfigured proxy settings, incorrect container IP addresses, or network restrictions.

Summary

CloudPanel's Docker integration offers a practical solution for container management in 2025. It provides native cloud support, built-in security features, and a straightforward interface. This process works well with single WordPress sites and complex microservices architectures. Key benefits include:

• Use CloudPanel's backup tools to back up Docker volumes from the control panel.
• Track performance and set up monitoring tools, such as Uptime Kuma.
• Stay updated and check for CloudPanel updates.
• Check for Docker updates every 6 months.
• Document everything, keep records of your configurations, and help with troubleshooting.
• Ensure data protection and disaster recovery with simple backup solutions for Docker volumes.

Consider CloudPanel Docker deployments for modern container management.