Why Is Nexus Docker Repository Consuming More Space Than Docker Registry?

post by ganeshthirumani5 on Jan 28, 2025

Hi ,

I’m using Nexus 3.x as a Docker registry to store around 30 Docker images. When I use the official Docker Registry for storing the same images, it consumes around 10GB. However, with Nexus as the Docker registry, it’s consuming approximately 12GB.

I’ve already optimized some layers inside the Docker images, So final it should come around 8GB but the size difference persists.

• Is there a way to enable deduplication of layers in Nexus?
• Could the additional size be due to metadata or indexing, as some resources suggest?
• What steps can I take to reduce the storage size in Nexus while using it as a Docker registry?

Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

post by mpiggott on Feb 3, 2025

In Nexus there is a Docker garbage collection task which ought to be scheduled if you have not already which will remove layers which are not referenced by any manifest.

post by rseddon on Feb 4, 2025

See here: Cleanup Policies