Deploy Traefik with Docker and Access It Remotely via cpolar

Introduction

Traefik is a cloud‑native HTTP reverse proxy and load balancer that can be easily deployed for micro‑service environments. It supports many back‑ends (Docker, Swarm, Consul, etc.) and offers dynamic configuration through a built‑in web UI.

1. Deploy Traefik with Docker

Create a docker-compose.yml file in any directory with the following content:

version: "3"
services:
  traefik:
    image: traefik:v3.0.0-beta3
    ports:
      - 8080:8080
    command: "--api=true --api.dashboard=true --api.insecure=true"

The command enables the API, dashboard, and insecure access on port 8080. After saving the file, run: docker compose up If the process stops, press Ctrl+C, find the container ID with docker ps -a, and restart it using docker start <container_id>. Verify the container is running with docker ps.

2. Test Local Access to the Traefik Dashboard

Once the container is up, open a browser on any device in the same LAN and navigate to http://<linux_host_ip>:8080. The Traefik dashboard should be visible.

3. Install cpolar on Linux

cpolar provides an easy way to expose local ports to the public internet without purchasing a domain or cloud server.

Official site: https://www.cpolar.com

Install with the one‑click script:

curl -L https://www.cpolar.com/static/downloads/install-release-cpolar.sh | sudo bash

Add the service to systemd: sudo systemctl enable cpolar Start the cpolar service: sudo systemctl start cpolar After installation, log in to the cpolar web UI (access http://<linux_ip>:9200) and you will see the management interface.

4. Configure a Public cpolar Tunnel for Traefik

In the cpolar dashboard, go to Tunnel Management → Create Tunnel and fill in:

Tunnel name: any unique name

Protocol: http Local address: 8080 (Traefik dashboard port)

Domain type: Random free domain Region: China Click Create. The tunnel list will show both HTTP and HTTPS public URLs.

5. Access Traefik Remotely

Open any browser on any device and navigate to the public HTTPS URL generated by cpolar. The Traefik dashboard will be reachable from the internet, allowing remote management without a dedicated server.

6. Set a Fixed Public Address

Random tunnels change every 24 hours, which is inconvenient for long‑term use. Upgrade cpolar to at least the Basic plan, reserve a sub‑domain, and configure the tunnel to use this fixed sub‑domain.

In cpolar UI, go to Reserve and choose Sub‑domain.

Enter the desired sub‑domain name and confirm.

Return to Tunnel Management → Tunnel List , edit the previously created tunnel, and set Domain type to Sub‑domain and Sub Domain to the reserved name.

Click Update (once is enough).

The tunnel list now shows the fixed public URL. Use this URL to access the Traefik dashboard anytime, providing a permanent remote entry point.