Docker on Microsoft OSs
You can use Docker images on a Microsoft operating system. Here’s how you can get started:
Pull a Container Base Image:
All containers are created from container images. Microsoft provides several starter images (base images) to choose from. For example, you can pull the lightweight Nano Server base image using the following command:
docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/windows/nanoserver:ltsc2022
If you encounter issues with Docker failing to start while pulling the image, try restarting the Docker service. Also, ensure that Docker is configured to run Windows containers (not Linux containers).
Run a Windows Container:
To create a simple ‘Hello World’ container, start an interactive session from the Nano Server image: docker run -it mcr.microsoft.com/windows/nanoserver:ltsc2022 cmd.exe Inside the container, you can create a ‘Hello World’ text file and then exit the container. Remember that the base image provides a foundational layer of operating system services to your container, and you build your container image on top of it1. Happy containerizing!
What is an Image?
In the context of Docker, an image is a read-only template that contains instructions for creating a container. It packages up all the necessary files, binaries, libraries, and configurations needed to run an application within a container. Think of it as a snapshot of a specific environment that can be shared or reused. Once an image is created, it remains immutable, meaning you can’t modify it directly—you can only build new images based on existing ones.
Docker Hub
Docker Hub, a global marketplace, hosts thousands of images that developers can use locally. These images include everything from official Docker repositories to community-contributed ones, making it easy to get started with containers.
For example, you can find ready-to-use images for services like Redis or Memcached, or use base images (like the Node.js Docker image) as a starting point for your own customizations.
References
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 15/07/2024 (1) What is an image? | Docker Docs. https://docs.docker.com/guides/docker-concepts/the-basics/what-is-an-image/. (2) A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding and Building Docker Images. https://jfrog.com/devops-tools/article/understanding-and-building-docker-images/. (3) Docker Image - GeeksforGeeks. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-docker-image/. (4) What is Docker Image? Fully Explained - The Knowledge Academy. https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/blog/what-is-a-docker-image/. (5) Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/in-this-photo-illustration-the-docker-logo-seen-displayed-news-photo/1247853892. (6) https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/windowscontainers/quick-start/run-your-first-container
Edit Notes
- CITRIX Build on 25/07/2024
- Updates on 22nd August 2024