---
title: Docker container install
description: Install Calico on non-cluster hosts using a Docker container.
canonical_url: '/getting-started/bare-metal/installation/container'
---

### Big Picture
Install {{site.prodname}} on non-cluster hosts using a Docker container.

### Value
Installing {{site.prodname}} with a Docker container includes everything you need for both networking and policy. It also automatically adds the appropriate per-node configuration to the datastore.

### Before you begin...

1. Ensure Docker is installed
1. Ensure the {{site.prodname}} datastore is up and accessible from the host
1. Ensure the host meets the minimum [system requirements](../requirements)

### How to

The `{{site.nodecontainer}}` container should be started at boot time by your init system and the init system must be configured to restart it if stopped. {{site.prodname}} relies on that behavior for certain configuration changes.
{% include content/docker-container-service.md %}
