Get Ready: Docker Hub Rate Limits Impact Your GitLab CI/CD
Starting soon, Docker Hub's rate limits will significantly affect your GitLab CI/CD pipelines. If you frequently pull images from Docker Hub, you may experience disruptions unless you take immediate action.
What Are Docker Hub's Rate Limits?
Docker Hub has implemented rate limits based on the type of account. Anonymous users are restricted to 100 pulls per six hours, while authenticated (free-tier) users are limited to 200 pulls in the same timeframe. This change can have major consequences for GitLab pipelines that depend on public Docker Hub images.
How Will This Impact GitLab CI/CD?
GitLab runners pulling images for CI/CD jobs could hit these limits, leading to failures or delays in pipelines. Projects with high-frequency builds or multiple concurrent jobs may be particularly affected.
Steps to Mitigate the Impact
- Use a Container Registry: GitLab offers a built-in Container Registry, allowing you to store and pull images without relying on Docker Hub.
- Authenticate with Docker Hub: If you must use Docker Hub, authenticate with a paid account to increase your rate limits.
- Implement Image Caching: Store frequently-used images locally on self-hosted GitLab Runners or use a caching proxy.
- Migrate to Alternative Image Providers: Consider alternatives like Red Hat Quay, Google Container Registry, or Amazon Elastic Container Registry.
Ensure Smooth CI/CD Operations
By preparing now, you can prevent unnecessary pipeline disruptions. GitLab provides powerful tools such as its integrated registry and caching mechanisms to optimise workflows.
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