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An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

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21–30 of 103 posts

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#21

This is one of those things that I've always been too scared to ask so I'm just going to ask it now: Is there a distro designed exclusively for running docker (and perhaps other) containers that also contains a friendly web UI for people who have no idea how docker actually works? I'm familiar with Proxmox, but it doesn't natively support docker.

[deleted]

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#22

This is one of those things that I've always been too scared to ask so I'm just going to ask it now: Is there a distro designed exclusively for running docker (and perhaps other) containers that also contains a friendly web UI for people who have no idea how docker actually works? I'm familiar with Proxmox, but it doesn't natively support docker.

Its paid SW, but I like Unraid OS for this. It supports Dockers, VMS, and of course an easy to manage hard drive array with parity and ssd caching support. Just being able to chuck all your old drives that are laying around, add them to the pool and bring new life to old HW was worth it for me. The docker and VM support are nice extras.

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#23

This is one of those things that I've always been too scared to ask so I'm just going to ask it now: Is there a distro designed exclusively for running docker (and perhaps other) containers that also contains a friendly web UI for people who have no idea how docker actually works? I'm familiar with Proxmox, but it doesn't natively support docker.

Proxmox with native docker support would've been a dream. I know, it's easy to add it on top (since it's basically a layer over debian), but you still wouldn't get the native GUI support and the proxmox features that come with it. I don't know why they are so keen on not adding docker, and only focusing on LXC. LXC is fine, but it's pretty clear that it is far from being as popular or commonly used as Docker.

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#24

This is one of those things that I've always been too scared to ask so I'm just going to ask it now: Is there a distro designed exclusively for running docker (and perhaps other) containers that also contains a friendly web UI for people who have no idea how docker actually works? I'm familiar with Proxmox, but it doesn't natively support docker.

RancherOS if you're looking to use something heavily tested but it's got a few weird features like most of the OS also being in containers. If you want something light to play with and get a vanilla docker experience, your best bet is likely Boot2Docker with Portainer.

The existing RancherOS is no longer being maintained, you probably shouldn't be using it anymore:

https://rancher.com/docs/os/v1.x/en/support/

Rancher is working on a new version.

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#25
post #15

You can always have a vanilla Debian or vanilla Arch install and add things on an as-needed basis and build the OS from scratch, minimizing complexity and have them as single-duty OSes.

Yes but those aren’t single purpose OS’s like the ones described here. These typically come with immutability and a vastly reduced attack surface

The problem with single purpose OSs in my experience is adding stuff to them like kernel modules or drivers is such a pain in the ass that it negates the benefits. I'd rather just configure a general purpose OS to be immutable/have a reduced attack surface.

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#26

This is one of those things that I've always been too scared to ask so I'm just going to ask it now: Is there a distro designed exclusively for running docker (and perhaps other) containers that also contains a friendly web UI for people who have no idea how docker actually works? I'm familiar with Proxmox, but it doesn't natively support docker.

You could argue that Docker Desktop is basically this.

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#27

This is one of those things that I've always been too scared to ask so I'm just going to ask it now: Is there a distro designed exclusively for running docker (and perhaps other) containers that also contains a friendly web UI for people who have no idea how docker actually works? I'm familiar with Proxmox, but it doesn't natively support docker.

You could argue that Docker Desktop is basically this.

Docker Desktop is essentially an application, doesn't come close to being a OS or distribution.

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#28

This is one of those things that I've always been too scared to ask so I'm just going to ask it now: Is there a distro designed exclusively for running docker (and perhaps other) containers that also contains a friendly web UI for people who have no idea how docker actually works? I'm familiar with Proxmox, but it doesn't natively support docker.

I've never used it, but your description made me think of Webmin that I used a long time ago, and apparently the same creators have developed Virtualmin and Cloudmin that give you a web interface for managing Docker images and containers.

https://www.virtualmin.com/documentation/cloudmin/virtualiza...

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#29
post #15

You can always have a vanilla Debian or vanilla Arch install and add things on an as-needed basis and build the OS from scratch, minimizing complexity and have them as single-duty OSes.

Yes but those aren’t single purpose OS’s like the ones described here. These typically come with immutability and a vastly reduced attack surface

It can be if you use the right base OS. NixOS for all its issues checks most of the boxes for building a single purpose OS and the process of actually building one couldn't be easier. The whole process is effectively:

1. Write a config file

2. Run the command that builds the system

3. Test the system

4. (optional) Run the command that bakes the fresh system generated from the config into an image.

5. Deploy using either an image or NixOS's config based deployment tooling.

Re: An overview of single-purpose Linux distributions

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You could argue that Docker Desktop is basically this.

Docker Desktop is essentially an application, doesn't come close to being a OS or distribution.

A VM to run containers is a fairly large part of Docker Desktop...? https://www.docker.com/blog/the-magic-behind-the-scenes-of-d...
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