How can Docker containers interact with host machines?

Docker containers can access each other and the host machine through networking.

1. Container accessing host machine
2. Accessing services on the host machine using the host’s IP address. Containers can access services on the host machine, such as a database or other services, by using the host’s IP address.
3. Access services on the host machine using the host machine’s hostname. Docker provides a special DNS resolver that allows you to use the host machine’s hostname to access services on the host machine. The host machine’s hostname is host.docker.internal.
4. The host machine accesses the container.
5. Access the container using its IP address. You can use the IP address of the container to access the services running on it.
6. Access the container using container port mapping. Mapping the container’s port to the host machine can be done by using the -p or –publish parameter while running the container, allowing access to the container using the host machine’s IP address and mapped port.

It is important to note that by default, Docker uses the bridged network mode, where containers and the host machine are in the same network. However, if you decide to use other network modes, such as host mode or customized network mode, the way you access may be different.