What is Bind mount?

Bind mounts have existed from Docker’s early versions. Comparatively speaking, bind mounts are less useful than volumes. A file or directory on the host computer gets mounted into a container when you use bind mount. The absolute path of the file or directory on the host computer is used as a reference. On the other hand, when you utilise a volume, Docker creates and maintains a new directory within the host machine’s storage directory.

Use Cases of Bind mount

• Bind mounts replicate the website’s directory into the home directory of a jailed user, therefore limiting access to specific areas of the website for selected users.
• Processes operating within a container allow you to modify the host filesystem.
• The instant a file is saved, the container is notified of the modifications you make to the code.
• This includes adding, removing, and altering system folders and files, all of which might have dangerous security repercussions.

Advantages of Bind mount

• Bind mounts are frequently used in local development environments. One benefit is that not all build environments and tools need to be installed on the developer workstation.
• These allow you to reference a file or directory on your host system through its absolute path, which is mounted onto your container.
• Docker gathers tools and dependencies with a single docker run command.
• Bind mounts offer a simple method of linking particular directories or files from the host to the container, and they are quick to set up.

Disadvantages of Bind mount

• In order to provide a way to distribute server programmes without a graphical user interface, Docker bind mount was developed.
• Security issues may arise from improperly setup bind mounts. The host’s files and folders are accessible to the container.
• Numerous feature requests are being worked on, such as file transfer from the host to the container, self-inspections and registration of containers, and many more.
• Performance may be impacted by bind mounts, particularly when handling big volumes of data.

Docker volume and Bind mount are the docker components. Using bind mounts, you may mount a file or directory from your host computer onto your container and access it using its absolute path. Because Docker does everything independently, it is not dependent on the host computer’s operating system or your directory structure. The Docker CLI commands or the Docker API may be used to manage Docker Volumes. It is safer to share quantities among many containers. The host computer’s absolute path to the file or directory serves as a point of reference. Conversely, when a volume is used, Docker makes a new directory in the host machine’s storage directory and keeps it updated.