Docker
/Advanced
tmpfs Mounts
Definition
A temporary storage mount that writes data strictly into the host machine's memory (RAM), ensuring data is never permanently written to the container's writable layer or the host's hard drive.
Explain Like I'm New
A whiteboard. The container writes data on it extremely fast, but the moment the container stops, someone wipes the whiteboard completely clean.
Real World Example
A high-security application needs to generate massive cryptographic keys to process a transaction. Writing them to disk is a security risk. It writes them to a `tmpfs` mount. Once the transaction ends, the memory is cleared, leaving zero trace on the hard drive.
Common Use Cases
- •High-security secrets
- •High-performance temporary caching
Interview Questions
basic
- Are files saved in a `tmpfs` mount available after the container restarts?
intermediate
- Does `tmpfs` work on Docker Desktop for Windows?