Product updates: Docker Hub registry mirror, instructor role improvements, and new cloud service support (AWS Network Manager)

We’re rolling out updates that make hands-on product adoption faster, simpler, and more reliable. Highlights include our Docker Hub registry mirror for lightning-quick, rate-limit-proof image pulls, new instructor role options that streamline access and invite governance, and support for AWS Network Manager so you can model real-world WAN scenarios in minutes. 

Quick overview (full details below):

• Docker Hub registry mirror: Rate-limit–proof, faster pulls via a pull-through cache. Update to instruqt/docker-28-3 and instruqt/k3s-v1-33-4.
  
  
• Instructor role updates: “All Access” now auto-includes future tracks. Optional mode to disable invite creation (instructors can still present); pick one mode for your org.
  
  
• AWS Network Manager support:  Build realistic WAN labs with Cloud WAN, Transit Gateways, and on-prem links. Enable in Settings → Edit Cloud Account → Services and select regions.

Instruqt Docker Hub registry mirror

We've developed a Docker Hub registry mirror to ensure your sandboxes provision reliably without being affected by Docker Hub's rate limits on unauthenticated pulls.

Docker Hub recently began enforcing rate limits for unauthenticated image pulls. This could cause sandbox provisioning to fail if a sandbox environment, such as a Kubernetes deployment or a direct Docker pull command, fetched an image directly from Docker Hub and exceeded the limit.

Our new mirror acts as a pull-through cache. This means when you pull an image, the request goes to our mirror first. If the mirror has the image, it's served instantly, bypassing Docker Hub entirely. If not, the mirror fetches it from Docker Hub, caches it, and then serves it to you. This process ensures that subsequent pulls of the same image are lightning-fast and, more importantly, are not subject to Docker Hub's rate limits.

What this means for you:

• Reliable provisioning: Your sandboxes will be more reliable as they'll no longer be impacted by Docker Hub's rate limits.
• Faster image pulls: Cached images will be pulled much faster, improving the overall performance of your sandboxes.
• New pre-configured Images: To make the transition seamless, we've created new images with the mirror pre-configured. We encourage you to update your tracks to use these:
  
  • For Docker, use instruqt/docker-28-3. The older instruqt/docker-2010 image has not been updated.
  • For K3s, use instruqt/k3s-v1-33-4. The older instruqt/k3s-v1-32-x (and before) images have not been updated.
  • You can find more details and documentation on this in our Instruqt docs.

For advanced users who use custom images or want to configure the mirror manually, you can find the registry mirror at docker.registry.instruqt.io. 

👉For detailed instructions, check out our Docker Hub registry mirror documentation.

Instructor role updates

All access improvements

Previously, the All Access permission only granted instructors access to existing tracks. With this update, instructors who are assigned All Access will now automatically gain access to all current and future tracks.

Benefit: This saves you time and reduces admin overhead, since you no longer need to manually update instructor access whenever new tracks are added.

👉 Learn more in our roles and permissions documentation.

No invite creation mode

We’ve added a variation of the instructor role where instructors cannot create invites. In this mode:

• Instructors cannot create or share new invites or workshops.
• Instructors can still present workshops they are invited to.
• Instructors will only see invites they are added to, keeping your invites page private and controlled.

This ensures only authorized team members can manage invites, while still giving instructors the ability to run sessions.

⚠️ Note: You can only choose one mode — either instructors can create invites or they cannot. By default instructors can create invites, if you would like to switch please reach out to support.

How to add instructors to invites:

1. Go to the Invites page.
2. Select the invite you want to manage.
3. Click the avatar icon in the top right.
4. Add the instructor as a team member to give them access.

👉 Learn more in our roles and permissions documentation.

New cloud service support: AWS Network Manager

We now support AWS Network Manager service. Network Manager allows you to set up Cloud WAN, Transit Gateways and link on-premise sites, making it possible to build, manage, and monitor a wide area network (WAN) that connects your on-premises and cloud environments.

Benefit: This allows you to create tracks that simulate real-world WAN scenarios, so learners can practice with authentic networking setups.

How to add Network Manager to your AWS cloud account:

1. Go to Edit Cloud Account in your Instruqt settings.
2. Under Services, add AWS Network Manager.
3. Select the relevant regions for your tracks.
4. Save your configuration.
5. Now you can use AWS Network Manager’s features in your sandbox.

👉 Learn more about what cloud services are available in our documentation.