Are Microsoft Containers worth learning?

#1

Post by MrLabCoat » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 7:37 AM UTC

Quick question: should I bother to learn the Containers service in Microsoft Windows/Server, or is it safe to assume that Docker (and similar programs out there) are going to be the best way to go as far as learning and running in a small homelab?

Thank you for your honest opinions and helping a fellow geek progress :D

Re: Are Microsoft Containers worth learning?

#2

Post by alexellisuk » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 7:42 AM UTC

Absolutely - if you want to "learn containers" I would start with Docker for Windows (that creates a tiny Linux VM) for a less painful start.

However if Windows is core to your workflow.. check out this from my fellow Docker Captain:

https://github.com/StefanScherer/dockerfiles-windows

And the installation procedure for Windows Containers:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/virtualization/windowscontainers/...

Take note that only nano-server will run on Windows 10 pro.

Feel free to get in touch on Twitter @alexellisuk

Re: Are Microsoft Containers worth learning?

#3

Post by Annatar » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 9:14 AM UTC

That's a seemingly innocuous question with a highly subjective answer, which ironically has very objective consequences (pick a wrong technology, for example for wrong reasons like popularity, get stuck with all kinds of unnecessary problems, like lack of isolation, suboptimal performance, complex software lifecycle or data corruption, or all of that together, and I don't necessarily mean Microsoft here).

Depends on who you ask and what their experience is. What can we tell you? Everyone will tell you what their preferred solution is. Since it's a subjective question, one person will tell you to go ahead, another that it's pointless.

Why do you care what is going to be popular if you are building your own laboratory? Research which is the best solution; research them all. After all, that is the point of a laboratory, isn't it?

Re: Are Microsoft Containers worth learning?

#4

Post by MrLabCoat » Sat, Sep 17, 2016, 9:17 AM UTC

alexellisuk wrote: post #2

Absolutely - if you want to "learn containers" I would start with Docker for Windows (that creates a tiny Linux VM) for a less painful start. However if Windows is core to your workflow.. check out this from my fellow Docker Captain: https://github.com/StefanScherer/dockerfiles-windows And the installation procedure for Windows Containers: https://msdn.microsoft.com/virtualization/windowscontainers/... Take note that…

Thank you very much for the links! Will be taking a look into it. It seems fairly simple to setup and mess around with. I'm more familiar with Docker, never heard of Containers till a few days ago :D