Web2py Docker Image

This image combines Web2py and uWSGI into one flexible image. It supports 3 modes: HTTP via Web2py, HTTP via uWSGI or the uwsgi protocol.

Getting started

To run a simple example using HTTP:

docker run -p 8080:8080 smithmicro/web2py

Then open a web browser to: http://localhost:8080

Features

• Supports the HTTP protocol to support standalone testing.
• Supports uWSGI to be used in conjuntion with a web server such as nginx.
• Image offloads concerns for HTTPS to another container, such as nginx. This simplifies the Web2py container and makes it general purpose.
• Applications can be added by a volume map to /opt/web2py/applications/appname

Command Line Options

command	port	protocol	notes
http	8080	http://	Using uWSGI in HTTP mode (default)
uwsgi	9090	uwsgi://	Useful for connecting to a reverse proxy like nginx
rocket	8080	http://	Uses the built in Web2py Rocket web server

Example:

docker run -it -p 8080:8080 smithmicro/web2py rocket

Docker Environment Variables

command	operation	default
WEB2PY_VERSION	Use a specific version of Web2py	empty (current version). Not supported in Alipine image.
WEB2PY_PASSWORD	Set the adminitrative password	empty
WEB2PY_ADMIN_SECURITY_BYPASS	Bypasses HTTP secuirty check for the Admin application. WEB2PY_PASSWORD must also be set.	empty (false)
UWSGI_OPTIONS	Set command line options for uwsgi. Used for http and uwsgi commands.	--master --thunder-lock --enable-threads

nginx example

To use the adminstration functions of web2py, you will need an SSL connection. This can be achived by using the docker-compose.yml file at the root. Run the following:

cd keys
./create-keys.sh
cd ..
docker-compose up

Steps:

• Visit: https://localhost:8443
• You will need to accept the browser warning of an unsafe site.
• Press the admin button
• Enter password as the password to see the admin site.

Application Example

You can expose an application from the host into the container using a volume map. This Docker Compose example maps an applicaiton folder called myapp and sets the default route:

version: '2'

services:
  app:
    image: smithmicro/web2py:alpine
    volumes:
      - ./myapp:/opt/web2py/applications/myapp
      - ./routes.py:/opt/web2py/routes.py
    ports:
      - 8080:8080

routes.py would look like this:

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-

default_application = 'myapp'

Administration Example

By default, W2b2py requires the user to use HTTPS or connect from 127.0.0.1 in order to use the admin application. The tests for 127.0.0.1 do not work inside a container as the connecting browser comes from 172.x.x.x via the Docker Bridge Network.

To workaround this, you can use the WEB2PY_ADMIN_SECURITY_BYPASS environment variable and set it to true. You also need to set the WEB2PY_PASSWORD variable. To see this in action, run the example in the debian folder:

cd debian
docker-compose up

• Visit: http://localhost:8080/admin
• Enter password as the password to view the admin site.

Customizing the Image

To add Python packages required by your application, create a Dockerfile like this. Make sure you switch to the root user, and then back to the web2py user after installing your application and any required Python packages.

FROM smithmicro/web2py

USER root

# Copy my applications to the image
COPY applications $WEB2PY_ROOT/applications/

# Install required Python pacakages, remove sample apps and set proper ownership
RUN pip install fileutils pillow requests \
 && rm -rf $WEB2PY_ROOT/applications/welcome $WEB2PY_ROOT/applications/examples \
 && chown -R web2py:web2py $WEB2PY_ROOT

USER web2py

Useful Links

Web2py Web Site

Install uWSGI on CentOS

Split uWSGI and nginx into 2 microservices

Configuring uWSGI