Managed Private Registry

A private container registry is a storage and distribution system for container images i.e. files that include all the code, libraries and other resources required to run an application inside a containerised environment. Being accessible only to authorised users, a private container registry is a secure space for storing container images. It enables organisations to manage and control their container images easily, as well as offering simple integration with existing continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) workflows for seamless development, testing, and deployment of applications.

The Managed Private Registry service is a managed solution provided by OVHcloud. It offers a highly secure and compliant environment for storing container images and Helm charts, with predictable pricing and a range of security, automation, and storage-specific features. The best part is that this is a fully managed service, so we’ll setup, maintain and administer your private registry, leaving you free to focus on other projects.

Hosting a private container registry requires a secure environment for storing your container images. To do this, you can either use a service from a cloud provider, install third-party software on your own infrastructure, or create your own customised solution.

Using a cloud provider’s service - such as OVHcloud’s Managed Private Registry - is the simplest way to host a private container registry, as it takes the stress out of maintaining your private container registry, being a fully managed service with high security, predictable pricing, and a range of features.

If you choose to adopt third-party software on your own infrastructure instead, some popular options include Harbor, JFrog Artifactory, and Sonatype Nexus. If you decide instead to build your own custom solution, there are a range of simple guides on the internet to help you set this up.

The main difference is around access, security, and compliance. A public registry in Docker can be accessed by anyone, however, a private registry in Docker can only be accessed by specific users. This makes a private registry much more secure and able to comply with industry regulations. Other differences are that public registries are free to use, whereas private registries have associated costs, and a private registry is much easier to manage and integrate with existing workflows.

Yes, Docker Registry software is open-source and therefore free to use. However, there are costs associated with running Docker Registry on your own, such as infrastructure, security, maintenance, scalability, and backup costs. To minimise these overheads, it is much easier to use a service from a cloud provider, such as OVHcloud’s Managed Private Registry. Although you need to pay for these services, they eliminate the burden and cost of having to manage and maintain the container registry infrastructure yourself.