How to install MongoDB using Docker

Prerequisites#

Docker installed on your system
- For installation instructions, visit Get Docker
- Verify installation with: docker --version
Docker Compose (optional but recommended)
- Usually included with Docker Desktop
- Verify with: docker-compose --version

Method 1: Using Docker Run Command#

Step 1: Pull the MongoDB Image#

docker pull mongodb/mongodb-community-server

This downloads the official MongoDB Community Server image.

Step 2: Create a Docker Volume (Optional)#

To persist your MongoDB data beyond the container's lifecycle:

docker volume create mongodb_data

Step 3: Run MongoDB Container#

Basic run command:

docker run --name mongodb -d -p 27017:27017 mongodb/mongodb-community-server

With data persistence using the volume:

docker run --name mongodb -d -p 27017:27017 -v mongodb_data:/data/db mongodb/mongodb-community-server

With authentication enabled:

docker run --name mongodb -d -p 27017:27017 -v mongodb_data:/data/db -e MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME=admin -e MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD=password mongodb/mongodb-community-server

Step 4: Verify MongoDB is Running#

docker ps

This should show your MongoDB container running.

Method 2: Using Docker Compose#

Docker Compose makes it easier to manage your MongoDB container configuration.

Step 1: Create a docker-compose.yml File#

Create a docker-compose.yml file in your project directory:

mkdir mongodb-docker
cd mongodb-docker
touch docker-compose.yml

Step 2: Add MongoDB Configuration#

Open the docker-compose.yml file and add:

version: '3.8'

services:
  mongodb:
    image: mongodb/mongodb-community-server
    container_name: mongodb
    ports:
      - 27017:27017
    volumes:
      - mongodb_data:/data/db
    environment:
      - MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME=admin
      - MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD=password
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  mongodb_data:
    driver: local

Step 3: Start MongoDB with Docker Compose#

In the directory containing your docker-compose.yml file:

docker-compose up -d

Step 4: Verify MongoDB is Running#

docker-compose ps

Connecting to Your MongoDB Container#

Connect to the MongoDB shell inside the container:

docker exec -it mongodb mongosh

If you configured authentication, connect with:

docker exec -it mongodb mongosh --username admin --password password

Alternatively, if you have the mongosh installed on your host machine:

To install mongosh, you can refer to this post.

mongosh --username admin --password password

Creating a MongoDB with Replica Set#

For applications requiring a replica set (like those using transactions), create a docker-compose.yml file:

version: '3.8'

services:
  mongodb-1:
    image: mongodb/mongodb-community-server
    container_name: mongodb-1
    command: ['--replSet', 'rs0', '--bind_ip_all']
    ports:
      - 27017:27017
    volumes:
      - mongodb_data_1:/data/db
    restart: unless-stopped

  mongodb-2:
    image: mongodb/mongodb-community-server
    container_name: mongodb-2
    command: ['--replSet', 'rs0', '--bind_ip_all']
    ports:
      - 27018:27017
    volumes:
      - mongodb_data_2:/data/db
    restart: unless-stopped

  mongodb-3:
    image: mongodb/mongodb-community-server
    container_name: mongodb-3
    command: ['--replSet', 'rs0', '--bind_ip_all']
    ports:
      - 27019:27017
    volumes:
      - mongodb_data_3:/data/db
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  mongodb_data_1:
  mongodb_data_2:
  mongodb_data_3:

Start the containers:

docker-compose up -d

Initialize the replica set:

docker exec -it mongodb-1 mongosh --eval "rs.initiate({
  _id: 'rs0',
  members: [
    {_id: 0, host: 'mongodb-1:27017'},
    {_id: 1, host: 'mongodb-2:27017'},
    {_id: 2, host: 'mongodb-3:27017'}
  ]
})"

Customizing MongoDB Configuration#

To use a custom configuration file:

Create a MongoDB configuration file mongod.conf:

storage:
  dbPath: /data/db
  journal:
    enabled: true

systemLog:
  destination: file
  path: /var/log/mongodb/mongod.log
  logAppend: true

net:
  port: 27017
  bindIp: 0.0.0.0

security:
  authorization: enabled

Update your docker-compose.yml:

version: '3.8'

services:
  mongodb:
    image: mongodb/mongodb-community-server
    container_name: mongodb
    ports:
      - 27017:27017
    volumes:
      - mongodb_data:/data/db
      - mongodb_log:/var/log/mongodb
      - ./mongod.conf:/etc/mongod.conf
    command: ['--config', '/etc/mongod.conf']
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  mongodb_data:
  mongodb_log:

Troubleshooting#

Container Fails to Start#

Check the logs:

docker logs mongodb

Cannot Connect to MongoDB#

Verify the container is running and the port is correctly mapped:

docker ps

Permission Issues with Volumes#

Ensure the mounted volumes have the correct permissions:

docker exec -it mongodb ls -la /data/db