In this tutorial, we will look at how you can configure your Windows server 2019 to run Docker containers. Docker has been a game changer in Applications containerization and the whole microservices design and deployment patterns. Docker makes it easy to build, ship and run images containing applications with their dependencies and avoid crazy dependency issues common with the use of Virtual Machines.
Docker engine is what powers docker containers. It was originally written for Linux but a lot of work has been done to enable Windows and macOS users to run Docker containers.
One pre-requisite is the installation of a Windows server. This can be on a Virtual Machine running on-premise, a Physical server deployment or a Cloud instance running in Azure. You can refer to our installation guide below.
How to run Docker Containers on Windows Server 2019
Before you can use the Windows Containers to run multiple isolated applications your system, you’ll need to enable the containers feature and install Docker on Windows Server 2019.
Step 1: Enable the containers feature in Windows Server 2019
The first step is to enable the Windows Server 2019 containers feature. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
Run the following commands.
Install-Module -Name DockerMsftProvider -Repository PSGallery -Force
This will install the Docker-Microsoft PackageManagement Provider from the PowerShell Gallery.
Sample output is as shown below:
Step 2: Install Docker on Windows Server 2019
once the Containers feature is enabled on Windows Server 2019, install the latest Docker Engine and Client by running the command below in your PowerShell session.
Install-Package -Name docker -ProviderName DockerMsftProvider
Agree to the installation using “Yes” or “Y” or “A” to Agree to all.
When the installation is complete, reboot the computer.
Restart-Computer -ForceInstalled Docker version can be checked with:
Administrator> Get-Package -Name Docker -ProviderName DockerMsftProvider
Name Version Source ProviderName
---- ------- ------ ------------
docker 18.09.2 DockerDefault DockerMsftProviderThe same can be achieved with the docker --version command.
PS C:\Users\Administrator> docker version
Client:
Version: 18.09.2
API version: 1.39
Go version: go1.10.6
Git commit: 1ac774dfdd
Built: unknown-buildtime
OS/Arch: windows/amd64
Experimental: false
error during connect: Get http://%2F%2F.%2Fpipe%2Fdocker_engine/v1.39/version: open //./pipe/docker_engine: The system cannot find the file specified. In the default daemon configuration on Windows, the docker client must be run elevated to connect. This error may also indicate that the docker daemon is not running.Upgrade can be done anytime by running the following commands on PowerShell.
Install-Package -Name Docker -ProviderName DockerMsftProvider -Update -Force
Start-Service DockerStep 3: Run Docker Container
Start Docker Daemon
Start-Service DockerAfter starting Docker Engine service, Download the pre-created .NET sample image from the Docker Hub registry:
docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/samples:dotnetapp-nanoserver-2009You can retrieve a list of all available tags for dotnet/samples at https://mcr.microsoft.com/v2/dotnet/samples/tags/list
Then deploy a simple container running a .Net Hello World application.
docker run mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/samples:dotnetapp-nanoserver-2009The container will start, print the hello world message, and then exits.
Running Linux Containers on Windows Server 2019
Out of the box, Docker on Windows only run Windows container. To use Linux containers on Windows Server, you need to use the Docker Enterprise Edition Preview which includes a full LinuxKit system for running Docker Linux containers.
Uninstall your current Docker CE.
Uninstall-Package -Name docker -ProviderName DockerMSFTProviderEnable Nested Virtualization if you’re running Docker Containers using Linux Virtual Machine running on Hyper-V.
Get-VM WinContainerHost | Set-VMProcessor -ExposeVirtualizationExtensions $trueThen install the current preview build of Docker EE.
Install-Module DockerProvider
Install-Package Docker -ProviderName DockerProvider -RequiredVersion previewEnable LinuxKit system for running Linux containers
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("LCOW_SUPPORTED", "1", "Machine")Restart Docker Service after the change.
Restart-Service dockerPull a test docker image.
> docker run -it --rm ubuntu /bin/bash
root@1440a7fef7e0:/# cat /etc/os-release
NAME="Ubuntu"
VERSION="18.04.1 LTS (Bionic Beaver)"
ID=ubuntu
ID_LIKE=debian
PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS"
VERSION_ID="18.04"
HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://help.ubuntu.com/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/"
PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy"
VERSION_CODENAME=bionic
UBUNTU_CODENAME=bionic
root@1440a7fef7e0:/# exit
exitTo Switch back to running Windows containers, run:
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("LCOW_SUPPORTED", "$null", "Machine")Enjoy running Linux and Windows containers on Windows Server 2019. Drop us a comment in case of any issues.
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