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Comment by teraflop

7 hours ago

Almost.

For one thing, Docker is not really "Linux inside Linux". It uses Linux kernel features to isolate the processes inside a container from those outside. But there is only one Linux kernel which is shared by both the container and its host (within the Linux VM, in this case).

For another, running Linux containers in a Linux VM on Windows is one (common) way that Docker can work. But it also supports running Windows containers on Windows, and in that case, the Windows kernel is shared just like in the Linux case. So Docker is not exactly "Linux tech".

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teraflop

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raesene9  3 hours ago

I think GP is likely referring to Docker Desktop, which is probably the most common way to use Docker on Windows.

Running Linux containers using Docker Desktop has a small Linux VM in which the containers are run and then Docker does some mucking about to integrate that better with the Windows host OS.

NikolaNovak  6 hours ago

I thought docker only supports windows as a host if you enable wsl, in which case you're running on hyper v and Linux kernel as part of wsl2, so absolutely Linux tech on a Linux vm on Windows... Am I wrong?

  • nine_k  5 hours ago

    You are. You can run Docker for Windows, and run Windows binaries in reasonably isolated containers, without involving Linux at all [1]. Much like you run Linux containers on Linux without involving Windows.

    It's Docker Desktop what assumes WSL; Docker engine does not. Also, you seem to need Windows Server; IDK if it can be made to work on a Pro version.

    [1]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/windowscont...

  • gregoryl  5 hours ago

    Docker supports either hyper-v, or wsl2 as a host for the Linux kernel - they generally push people towards wsl2. I vaguely recall wsl2 uses a subset of hyper-v the name of which escapes me atm.