Create docker image running old Windows version - docker

I am new to docker and my task is to create docker container running Windows 98.
The difficult part is not having Windows 98 installed. My computer has Windows 7/Kubuntu 16 (dual boot).
I am looking for some way of getting ready Windows98 docker image or creating it using these operational systems.
P.S. I think I need to clarify: I prefer to run docker over Kubuntu, not Windows (if possible).
The docker image should run Windows98 inside.

Here you can find official images from Microsoft for docker.
As you can see there are only Nano Server and Windows Server Core containers available.
Unfortunately for Windows98, you would need to use regular VM.

Related

Regarding Docker cross platform compatibility

I want to ask about cross platform compatibilty of Docker ,means if an application is designed to run in a docker container on windows,then can it run on linux or vice -versa?
Docker was create to run on Linux, so the short answer is yes.
The Windows version isn’t stable or recommend (Docker for windows). At least not by now.
“But, Fischer, I use Docker on Windows!” Yes, with WSL (windows subsystem for linux - Some kind of VM), which you can configure to set a memory limit, using the .wsconfig file, and if you look at your Windows Menu you may found a Ubuntu icon, that connects you to the bash.
Docker is largely used for people that develop software, and today many languanges and frameworks use linux, even Microsoft with .Net runs on Linux.
Docker was created to resolve one simple issue: "But it works on my machine." So, it means that a container should run on every platform. At least "it works on my computer" lol
I think the question is regarding a Windows application. If that's the case, a Windows application cannot simply run on Linux containers. For example, .Net Framework doesn't run on Linux. If an application was targeted for Windows, it needs to run on Windows and in that case only a Windows container can run the application.
Docker Desktop can run both: Windows containers and Linux containers, just not at the same time. You have to switch the context so Docker Desktop can target either WSL (for Linux) or HCS (for Windows).

Base Docker image from existing Windows machine

We have a large application with several parts running on a Windows VM and I am trying to evaluate Docker containers for our application deployment. Is it possible to create a base docker image from an existing Windows VM already running my application? (I know this can be done using Dockerfile but I am looking for a quick way to create the image)
https://docs.docker.com/engine/userguide/eng-image/baseimages/
Above link describes creating image from working machine for Linux, but I am looking for something similar for Windows.
The only base image for Windows that I know are the ones proposed by Microsoft, for Windows Server 2016 or 1709.
See "PoC: How to build images for 1709 without 1709"
That means you can translate any Widows VM into an image.
You would need:
a Dockerfile
the right Microsoft base image, which would represent a Windows server one.
Typically:
microsoft/nanoserver,
microsoft/windowsservercore
If you application only runs on a Windows VM, you need to make sure it can be installed and run on one of those base Windows images.
EVen though you are using a VM Windows server 2016, you would not be able to quickly "capture its state": you need a Dockerfile to describe what you want your Widows container to run.
No it's not possible. You have some stuff like Vm2Docker etc but all it does the same thing you will do manually that is enumerate features installed and create some artifacts for you.
But it's not possible to do for third party application as you mentioned. You'd have to disassemble it and figure out how to scripts to install it.
I am looking for a way to have a Development environment of Production web server for our Developers/testers created using Docker on windows.
I have windows server 2016 OS installed on a Physical server (not VM), and want to dockerize it so that Dev team can make changes on it first and once they confirm all working fine then same changes will be done on production web server.
Thanks,
RK.

Does docker have a windows container to build windows applications on?

I am on a mac but want to build my application on a windows image. Is this possible with docker? If so what image do I need to use?
The reason I need to build the application on windows is for the code signing and binary building of electron. If this is not possible please let me know.
Since docker is not meant to be a UI for users (though it can be); images for Windows 7, 8, 10, et al are not available. However, Windows Server Core IS available via the Docker Hub.
If you simply need a x86 Win environment to build the application that should do the trick. If you need a full GUI, go Virtual Box or other virtualization tech. Docker containers are meant for single process isolation, ever see windows run only 1 process?
Hope this helps!
Update: It IS possible to run GUI applications via Docker; at least on a Linux host. http://fabiorehm.com/blog/2014/09/11/running-gui-apps-with-docker/
Update2: It is now possible to run Windows applications (CLI or GUI) via Docker: here and here has information regarding the process.

Is it possible to run GUI apps in windows containers?

So I'm playing around with this containers concept and specificlly windows containers.
I managed to run containers using the windows nanoserver image, however this image meant to services and does not support gui applications (or 32 bit apps).
Couldn't find any mentioning of running gui applications (and see there gui) using windows container (found only linux container gui).
is there a way to run GUI apps in containers? and so how do I can create my own image containing this support?
As per my knowledge, its impossible because docker does not allow rdp inside container
The nano server is not supporting GUI. That's why I cannot see how this should work if your base image for your container is a nano server
No, it is not possible on Windows regardless of image. It is a system limitation. As a last hope to get this somehow running I would try to install a VNC server inside a container and would try to connect to it from outside. This approach works for Linux-based containers. But I'm doubting that it will work on Windows.

Is it possible to run docker client in window server as done in Windows 7?

Presently is it possible to run docker client in Window Server2008 or 2012
in similar line as done in Windows 7 and 8 ?
I know they have been working on window container as well hyper V container which is supposed to release in next version in 2016. but is there any way to use docker client in it directly presently ?
Yes, if you can install VirtualBox on that Windows server, you can run the docker client (through boot2docker and its Tiny Core OS).
Since Windows Server 2008 is supported as a host server, the installation of boot2docker should be possible.
See also How to get Docker to run on a Windows System behind a corporate firewall?.

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