Docker for windows requirements

Before understanding the concept of Docker, let’s first discuss the concept of Hypervisors. So in an IT Company, or any cooperation, there is a development team, a testing team, and an operation team for developing the application, testing it, and deploying it. Now suppose the developers are working on a different OS, for example, let’s say macOS, and they used some dependencies or libraries as per the language they are using, so they just won’t hand the software to the testing team, but also the libraries, But now, the application didn’t run the tester’s machine, but it worked on the developer’s machine, maybe because the tester’s machine has different OS features than the developer’s one.

In this article, we will guide you through on firstly discussing what is docker, what are the requirements to docker for installing in Windows, why to install docker on windows, its implementation guide, best practices and troubleshooting issues and much more, The following is the table of content, helping you to give a overview what we going to cover in this article.

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But the problem here is, for every application, one needs a different OS, this will result in a waste of resources as multiple OSs will be running. So for this problem, we have the concept of Containers, the difference between Hypervisors and containers is that we don’t need multiple OS for every application, multiple applications can share the same OS kernel, can’t they? So instead of installing HYPERVISOR, we will be installing Docker. 

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What is Docker?

Docker is an open-source container platform software tool, where you run your applications in the form of containers. Docker containers comes with light weighted softwares having all the dependencies and configurations so we can run them across different computing environments. It facilitates the developers to package their application with all its dependencies into a single entity in the form of images. These can be portable easily or sharable with other developers without worrying about the underlying OS.

Requirements of Windows For Downloading Docker

The following are the requirements of Windows on Docker:

1. Windows 11 64-bit: Home or Pro version 21H2 or higher, or Enterprise or Education version 21H2.
2. Windows 10 64-bit: Home or Pro version 21H2 or higher, or Enterprise or Education version 21H2.
3. 4GB RAM or Higher.
4. Hyper V feature must be enabled in Windows.

Specifications for Docker Desktop Installation

The following are specifications for installing Docker on windows:

1. RAM: The minimal amount of Memory needed to run containers smoothly is 4GB, however, if a program has more complicated functions, it will need more than 6 GB RAM.
2. Storage: For running the containers and installation of docker the minimum space required is 25GB. If you want to store the container images and data then we need at least more than 35 GB to 40 GB.
3. Network: To download, push, and pull the images we need active internet then only we can maintain the container images with the help of docker.
4. CPU: At least a 64-bit processor is required for docker.

Docker can be run on a laptop with 4 GB of Memory, a 64-bit processor, and 25 GB of storage. It might change based on our use cases.

Why to Install Docker on Windows?

The following are the some of the reasons and insights specifying the needs and uses of installing the docker on windows:

• Consistent Environments: It ensure the applications to run smoothly across different systems without any compatibility issues.
• Resource Efficiency: It uses less resources compared to virtual machines, which facilitates with allowing for faster startups and better resource utilization.
• Enhanced Collaboration: It facilitates with easy sharing and replication of development setups among teams.
• Seamless Integration: It facilitates to work well with existing Windows development tools and workflows

How to Install Docker Desktop on Windows? A Step-By-Step Guide

The following are the steps to guide for installing the Docker Desktop on Windows:

Step 1: Download Docker Desktop

• Open your preferred web browser (e.g., Chrome).
• Then search in the browser by typing s “Docker download” and press Enter.
• Click on the first link that appears in the search results.

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Step 2: Select Software Respective to your OS

• On the Docker download page, select “Windows” as your operating system.

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Step 3: Start the Download

• The download will begin automatically. The duration will depend on your internet speed.

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How to Start Docker Desktop?

Step 4: After installation, open Docker Desktop.

• Accept the Docker Subscription Service Agreement window and click “Continue.”
• Docker Desktop will start after accepting the terms and conditions.

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Step 5: After clicking “OK,” the installation will start.

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Step 6: After installation completes, it will show a confirmation screen.

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Step 7: Restart your PC to install WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux), a compatibility layer for running Linux binary executables natively on Windows 10.

Step 8: After restarting, a dialog box will appear. Click the “Stop Docker” button.

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Step 9: Enable Hyper-V

• Restart your PC and enter the BIOS setup:
  • Navigate to Settings > Update and Security > Recovery > Advanced Setup > Device Configuration.
  • Ensure the “Enable Turbo Boost on DC” option is marked. Save and exit.

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Step 10: Activate Hyper-V

• Go to Control Panel > Turn Windows Features on or off.
• Check “Hyper-V” and “Windows Hypervisor Platform.”

How to Install Docker Desktop from the Command Line?

To install Docker Desktop, follow these procedures:

Step 1: Run the following command in the Command Prompt:

start /w "" "Docker Desktop Installer.exe" install  

Step 2: Add the user account to the Docker user group:

net localgroup docker-users <users>/add 

Step 3: Verify Docker Installation and Versions

• Open the Command Prompt.
• Run the following command to check the Docker version:

docker --version

• Upon starting Docker for the first time, you will receive a Beta invitation email.

How to Install Docker on Windows 10?

You must perform the following steps in order to install Docker on Windows 10:

Step 1: Ensure Compatibility

• Verify that your system meets the minimum requirement for Docker: 64-bit Windows 10 Pro.

Step 2: Download Docker

• Download Docker Desktop from the official website.

Step 3: Install Docker Desktop

• Complete the installation process.
• Open Docker Desktop from the Start menu.
• Enable Hyper-V and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) features when prompted.
• Docker Desktop will automatically restart after enabling these features.

Step 4: Verify Installation:

• Open a command prompt or PowerShell window.
• Pull a sample image, such as Nginx, using the following command:

docker pull nginx

• If the image pulls successfully, Docker Desktop has been installed correctly.

How to Install Docker on Windows 11?

First, make sure that your Windows matches Docker’s requirement  Docker requires 64-bit Windows 11 Pro, and the rest of all the steps are the same as Windows 10 as follows:

You must perform the following steps in order to install Docker on Windows 10:

Step 1: Ensure Compatibility

• Verify that your system meets the minimum requirement for Docker: 64-bit Windows 10 Pro.

Step 2: Download Docker

• Download Docker Desktop from the official website.

Step 3: Install Docker Desktop

• Complete the installation process.
• Open Docker Desktop from the Start menu.
• Enable Hyper-V and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) features when prompted.
• Docker Desktop will automatically restart after enabling these features.

Step 4: Verify Installation

• Open a command prompt or PowerShell window.
• Pull a sample image, such as Nginx, using the following command:

docker pull nginx

• If the image pulls successfully, Docker Desktop has been installed correctly.

How to Update the Docker in Windows?

By following the steps mentioned below we can update our Docker:

Step 1: Open Docker Desktop from the Start menu

Step 2: Click on Settings and navigate to the “Resources” tab. Click on “Check for Updates.” Docker Desktop will check for any available updates.

Step 3: If an update is available, click “Download and Install.” Docker Desktop will automatically download and install the update. After completion, you can verify the Docker version by using the following command in Command Prompt or PowerShell:

docker version

Advantages of Docker In Windows

The following are the advantages of Docker in Windows:

• Docker for Windows allows developers to their applications easily on any Windows.
• Docker can be installed very easily on Windows.
• Docker containers can be moved in between Windows and Linux without changing the Source code.
• The application is isolated from the underlying OS which makes it more secure. 

The following are the steps to uninstall the docker Desktop Tool:

Step 1: Find “Add or Remove Programs” in the start menu and choose it.

Step 2: Click Docker Desktop when you see Docker in the list of installed programs.

Step 3: Click on Uninstall in Docker Desktop and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 4: After the uninstallation is complete, restart the computer.

How to Install and Enable  WSL 2 on Windows 

Before installing docker by using WSL 2  make sure your Windows is supported for that and then install and enable WSL2 on your laptop.

Step 1: Enter the following command as an administrator to enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature.

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename
:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Step 2: In this step, you need to enable the virtual machine platform feature to enable it to run  the following command in Powershell as an administrator

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename
:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

Step 3: After running the above command you need to restart your computer by this the virtual machine platform feature will be enabled.

Step 4: Download and install the WSL 2 Linux kernel updated package from the official website of Microsoft

Step 5: Make WSL 2 the standard version. Run the following command when logged in as an administrator in Windows PowerShell. Install a Linux distribution by using the Microsoft Store. You can pick from a variety of Linux distributions, including Kali Linux, Debian, and Ubuntu.

wsl --set-default-version 2

• After completing the above steps we can use execute Linux commands on your Windows using WSL 2.

How to Install Docker With WSL 2 Backend on Windows?

Utilizing dynamic memory allocation will help the WSL 2 backend consume resources more efficiently. which enables us to launch Docker very quickly and improve Docker’s speed. To make this happen please follow the steps mentioned below.

Step 1: Install and enable WSL 2 on Windows by following the steps outlined in the previous answers. And install Docker Desktop as mentioned above for Windows.

Step 2: Once the Docker Desktop installation is completed open the settings in Docker Desktop click on the resources tab and click on WSL 2 integration. Click “Apply & Restart” to apply the changes.

Step 3: Open a terminal in your WSL 2 distribution and use the following command to confirm that Docker is operational after Docker Desktop has restarted.

docker pull ubuntu 

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• If the image is successfully retrieved, WSL 2 has likely been deployed as a backend for Docker. The WSL 2 backend now allows you to use Docker to construct and manage containers on your Windows computer.

Note: The Docker CLI interacts with the Docker daemon running in the Windows Docker Desktop application when you issue Docker commands in your WSL 2 terminal.

How to Install Docker on Windows Without Docker Desktop? A Step-By-Step Guide

The following are the steps that guide you in installing the Docker on Windows without Docker Desktop:

Step 1: Enable WSL 2

• Open the power shell as administrator and run the following command:

wsl --install

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Step 2: Install a Linux Distribution

• Download and install a Linux distributions from the Microsoft Store (e.g., Ubuntu)

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Step 3: Set a WSL 2 as Default

• Open the PowerShell and set WSL 3 as the default version

wsl --set-default-version 2

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Step 4: Install Docker Engine on WSL 2

• Open your linux distribution and update the packages list:

sudo apt update

• Install the docker using the a shell script as per defining, It looks as follows:

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh

Step 5: Start Docker Service

• Start the docker service with the following command:

sudo service docker start

Step 6: Verify Installation

• Using the following command check the docker version for verifying the installation.

docker --version

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Step 7: Run Docker Commands from Windows

• Install `wsl` command line tool to run the docker commands from the windows command prompt or PowerShell:

wsl docker run hello-world

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What’s the difference between Docker for Windows and Docker on Windows?

The following are the difference between docker for windows and docker on windows:

Best practices of using Docker on Windows

The following are the some of the best practices of using Docker on Windows:

• Use WSL2 Feature: Try to utilize the features of Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) for experiencing better performance and having compatibility to the applications.
• Optimize Docker Resources: Make adjustments to your resources such as CPU, memory, and disk settings in Docker Desktop for balancing performance and resource usage.
• Keep Docker Updated: Try to update the Docker Desktop software regularly, so that your containers can be ensured with security while acessing the new features.
• Utilize Docker Compose: Make use of Docker Compose for managing multi-container applications efficiently.

The following are the some of the common troubleshooting issues related to docker on windows:

• Hyper-V or WSL2 Not Enabled: Make sure the Hyper-V or WSL2 is enabled in Windows features section for successful installation and work properly with docker.
• Docker Desktop Won’t Start: Try to restart the Docker Desktop or check for updates to resolve startup issues.
• Network Connectivity Problems: Ensure to configure the network settings or to reset Docker to fix connectivity issues.
• Insufficient Disk Space: Try to free up the space or increase disk allocation for Docker.

Conclusion

In this article, we covered a step-by-step procedure to install docker in Windows 11 and Windows 10. We also covered how to install docker in Windows 10 and 11 with the help of the Command line. Refer to Install in Mac and Ubuntu to know more about installation in different Operating Systems.

Что такое Docker Desktop

Docker Desktop — это инструмент для работы с Docker-контейнерами на локальной машине. Он упрощает процесс разработки, тестирования и развертывания приложений, позволяя взаимодействовать с контейнерами как через консоль, так и через удобный интерфейс. 

Ключевые особенности:

• понятный графический интерфейс,
• удобное управление образами и контейнерами,
• встроенные инструменты для мониторинга,
• возможность разработки и тестирования без привязки к серверу,
• поддержка работы с Docker Compose.

Если вы только начинаете изучение Docker и хотите разобраться в основах, рекомендуем ознакомиться с отдельным вводным обзором. В нем разобрали принципы работы Docker, его основные компоненты и решаемые задач. Из текста вы узнаете, как создать и запустить контейнер, а также какую роль играет Kubernetes в связке c Docker.

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О системных требованиях

Перед установкой Docker Desktop важно выбрать подходящий бэкенд для работы с контейнерами: WSL 2 или Hyper-V. Оба имеют свои особенности, так что от выбора будут зависеть и системные требования. Далее в тексте разберемся, когда и какой бэкенд подойдет лучше.

Когда нужен WSL

WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2) — это усовершенствованная версия подсистемы Windows для Linux, которая использует виртуальную машину с реальным Linux-ядром. В отличие от первой версии, WSL 2 обеспечивает лучшую совместимость с Linux-инструментами, технологиями и приложениями, а также более высокую производительность. 

Преимущества использования WSL 2 с Docker Desktop

Работа с Linux-контейнерами. Docker изначально разрабатывали для работы в Linux-среде, поэтому большинство контейнеров в Docker Hub — это образы, ориентированные на Linux. Использование WSL 2 предоставляет Docker Desktop полноценную Linux-среду на Windows.

Повышенная производительность. WSL 2 значительно ускоряет выполнение контейнеров, что особенно заметно в сравнении с WSL 1 или Hyper-V, о котором мы расскажем дальше. Это преимущество обеспечивает полноценное Linux-ядро, которое позволяет Docker работать гораздо быстрее и с меньшими накладными расходами.
Работа с файловой системой Linux. В WSL 2 можно монтировать файловую систему Linux, что позволяет работать с кодом и данными в нативной Linux-среде. Это особенно важно при разработке приложений, которые будут запускаться в Linux-контейнерах и требуют специфической настройки среды — например, прав доступа или структуры каталогов.

Когда нужен Hyper-V

Рассмотрим ключевые сценарии, в которых предпочтительнее использовать Hyper-V. 

Если система не поддерживает WSL 2

Некоторые сборки системы не позволяют включать необходимые компонентов для работы WSL 2 В частности, это касается старых версий Windows, а также устройств, которые не поддерживают Windows 10 Pro или 11 Pro, — WSL 2 для них недоступна, так как требует включенной виртуализации на уровне системы. В таких случаях можно использовать Hyper-V для виртуализации контейнеров и запуска Docker Desktop.

Для работы с Windows-контейнерами

Docker Desktop поддерживает как Linux-, так и Windows-контейнеры. Однако последние требуют прямого взаимодействия с ядром Windows, а WSL 2 предоставляет только Linux-среду. Hyper-V позволяет запускать Windows-контейнеры благодаря виртуализации Windows-системы.

Для изоляции и обеспечения безопасности

Hyper-V создает полноценные виртуальные машины, обеспечивая строгую изоляцию контейнеров друг от друга и от хост-системы. Это может быть важно в корпоративной среде или при работе с чувствительными данными.

Разница между WSL 2 и Hyper-V

Если вам нужны Linux-контейнеры и высокая производительность — выбирайте WSL 2. Если же требуется строгая изоляция или работа с Windows-контейнерами, Hyper-V будет предпочтительнее. Подробнее о разнице по ключевым критериям — в таблице:

Системные требования Docker Desktop

При использовании WSL 2 в качестве бэкенда

• WSL версии 1.1.3.0 или новее.
• Windows 11 64-bit Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education, версия 22H2 или новее.
• Windows 10 64-bit Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education, версия 22H2  (сборка 19045) или новее.
• Включенная функция WSL 2 в Windows. Подробная инструкция есть в документации Microsoft;
• 4 ГБ ОЗУ.
• Включенная аппаратная виртуализация в BIOS на вашей локальной машине.

При использовании Hyper-V в качестве бэкенда

• Windows 11 64-разрядная Enterprise / Pro / Education, версия 22H2 или новее.
• Windows 10 64-разрядная Enterprise / Pro / Education, версия 22H2 (сборка 19045) или новее.
• Включенная функция Hyper-V. Подробнее об установке — в документации Microsoft;
• 4 ГБ ОЗУ.
• Включенная аппаратная виртуализация в BIOS на вашей локальной машине.

Установка WSL 2

1. Откройте PowerShell от имени администратора и введите команду wsl —install. Она выполняет следующие действия:

• включает дополнительные компоненты WSL и платформы виртуальных машин;
• скачивает и устанавливает последнюю версию ядра Linux;
• задает WSL 2 в качестве среды по умолчанию;
• скачивает и устанавливает дистрибутив Ubuntu Linux.

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2. После успешной установки всех компонентов перезапустите компьютер.

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Первичная настройка

1. Откройте установленный дистрибутив с помощью меню Пуск — найдите установленный дистрибутив (Ubuntu).

2. При первом запуске системы нужно создать имя пользователя и пароль для дистрибутива Linux.

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3. Первичная настройка завершена, можно приступать к использованию WSL 2.

Альтернативный вариант — запустить WSL через PowerShell. Для этого введите команду wsl и система предложит произвести первичную настройку.

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Установка Hyper-V

Для установки компонентов Hyper-V откройте PowerShell от имени администратора и выполните команду:

    Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V -All

Она установит все компоненты для работы Hyper-V, после чего нужно будет перезапустить компьютер.

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Проверить корректность установки Hyper-V можно с помощью команды:

    Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName *hyper*|ft

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Установка Docker с бэкендом WSL 2

1. Скачайте дистрибутив Docker Desktop с официального сайта и запустите установщик. Галочки оставьте на всех пунктах.

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1. После установки перезайдите в учетную запись и откройте ярлык Docker Desktop. 
2. Если все прошло успешно, вы увидите интерфейс инструмента:

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Установка Docker с бэкендом Hyper-V

1. Скачайте дистрибутив Docker Desktop с официального сайта и запустите установщик. В инсталляционном окне уберите галочку Use WSL 2 instead of Hyper-V.

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2. После установки перезайдите в учетную запись и откройте ярлык Docker Desktop. 

3. Если установка выполнена корректно, программа запустится без ошибок и вы увидите интерфейс:

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Запуск контейнера

Рассмотрим запуск первого контейнера на примере самого популярного образа — hello-world. 

Поиск и скачивание образа

Поскольку вы только установили Docker Desktop, в системе нет образов контейнеров, которые можно запустить. Исправим это.

1. Перейдите в раздел Images и нажмите кнопку Search images to run.

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1. Введите hello-world. В текущем окне на выбор есть две кнопки: Pull и Run. Если планируете для начала просто скачать образ, то выбирайте Pull. Если скачать и сразу запустить — Run.

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1. Оставляем стандартные настройки для запуска.

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Проверка работы контейнера

Чтобы посмотреть запущенные контейнеры, перейдите во вкладку Containers и выберите созданный на прошлом этапе. В нашем примере для него было автоматически сгенерировано имя determined_jennings. Открыв контейнер, вы увидите сообщение, если настройка установка прошла успешно.

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Как настроить запуск Docker при старте Windows

Для автозапуска Docker Desktop при авторизации на компьютере достаточно поставить галочку в настройках: Settings → General → Start Docker Desktop when you sign in to your computer.

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После этого Docker Desktop будет запускаться автоматически при включении устройства.

Запуск Docker в облаке

Docker Desktop — удобный инструмент для локальной работы, но в ряде случаев может потребоваться облачная инфраструктура:

• если мощности вашего ПК не хватает для работы с контейнерами;
• если нужна среда для тестирования без нагрузки на локальную машину;
• если вы работаете с ML/AI и нужны видеокарты для обучения моделей.

1. В панели управления в верхнем меню перейдем в раздел Продукты → Облачные серверы.

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2. Нажмем кнопку Создать сервер. 

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3. Выберем имя, регион и сегмент пула. Важно учесть, что от сегмента зависят доступные конфигурации и стоимость. После создания сервера менять сегмент пула нельзя. 

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4. В качестве источника выберите готовый образ, приложение, свой образ, сетевой диск или снапшот. В нашем случае — приложение Containers Ready с настроенной Ubuntu 22.04. Оно содержит:

• Docker версии 27.0.3;
• плагины для запуска Docker Compose версии 2.11.1;
• Portainer версии 2.20.3 — графический интерфейс для мониторинга и управления Docker-контейнерами, образами и сетью Docker.

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5. Конфигурацию для примера возьмем базовую — 2 vCPU и 2 ГБ RAM, а в поле Диски выберем SSD Быстрый на 20 ГБ. Важно: это минимальные требования. Рекомендуем выбирать параметры серверы, исходя из ваших задач. 

Помимо прочего, на этапе создания сервера или позже вы можете добавить GPU. При этом объем ОЗУ, который выделяется серверу, может быть меньше указанного в конфигурации — ядро ОС резервирует ее часть. Выделенный объем на сервере можно посмотреть с помощью команды sudo dmesg | grep Memory. 

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6. Для работы Containers Ready сервер должен быть доступен из интернета. Для этого создадим приватную подсеть и подключим публичный IP-адрес. В поле Сеть выберем Приватная подсеть и добавим новый публичный адрес. Подробнее о настройке подсети можно узнать в документации.

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6. Добавьте SSH-ключ в поле Доступ. Подробнее о его генерации можно узнать в отдельной инструкции.

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7. Ознакомьтесь с ценой и нажмите кнопку Создать сервер. 

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Сервер готов к использованию! Подробности о создании сервера с Сontainers Ready вы можете найти в документации. Если вам нужно запускать контейнеры с ML-моделями на мощных видеокартах, развернуть облачные серверы с GPU можно за несколько минут. Они помогут ускорить обучение нейросетей без закупки дорогого оборудования.

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Before installing Docker Desktop for Windows or macOS, just check the system requirements listed below to ensure your computer is competent to run it.

Windows

Minimum system requirements

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit: Home or Pro (build 19043 or later), Enterprise or Education (build 19042 or later). Windows 11 64-bit: Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education version 21H2 or newer.
• Processor: 64-bit processor with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT)
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• BIOS-level hardware virtualization support must be enabled in the BIOS settings
• Hyper-V and Containers Windows features must be enabled

If you’re using Windows 10 Home, you will have to install Docker Desktop using the WSL 2 backend. See the detailed guide here.

Recommend specs

Running Docker Desktop may consume lots of resources. If your computer’s specifications are just higher than the minimum requirements a little bit, it will be hot and lagging. Furthermore, if you have to enable Kubernetes, your days may become nightmares.

Please check out the recommended hardware specs listed below:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 8400 Coffee Lake or better
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Storage: 100 GB of SSD (lots of free space will be used)

You can download Docker Desktop for Windows here.

macOS

Minimum requirements:

• OS: macOS 10.15 or newer (Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina)
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Mac hardware must be a 2010 or a newer model, with Intel’s hardware support for memory management unit (MMU) virtualization, including Extended Page Tables (EPT) and Unrestricted Mode

Important note: VirtualBox prior to version 4.3.30 must not be installed as it is not compatible with Docker Desktop.

Recommended specs:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 quad-core
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Storage: 100 GB of SSD (working with Docker will take up very much hard drive space)

A Macbook Pro 2017, or a Mac mini 2018 or better are pretty good to go.

If you’re using a Mac with an M1 chip (Apple Silicon), you should install Rosetta 2 to get the best experience. Installing Rosetta 2 can be done from the command line like so:

softwareupdate --install-rosetta

Download: Docker Desktop for Mac with Intel chip, Docker Desktop for Mac with M1 chip

Final Words

After installing Docker Desktop, you’re ready to explore more about it. Continue moving and start learning the basics of Docker by reading the following articles:

• How to Install Docker Compose on Ubuntu
• Docker: How to Retag an Image
• Start, Pause, Restart, Stop, and Delete a Docker Container
• Docker: How to Name or Rename a Container
• Docker: How to See All Pulled Images
• Deleting unnecessary Images and Containers in Docker

You can also check out our Docker topic page for the latest tutorials, examples, tips, and tricks.

Docker has been a revolutionary platform for developing and running applications. It has significantly transformed the software development landscape with its ability to package applications into containers offering efficiency and portability. This comprehensive guide will share the benefits of Docker and how Docker installation for Windows is done.

What are the Requirements for Downloading Docker?

You have to ensure that your system meets the fundamental prerequisites before advancing on the Docker installation journey. 

Docker Installation for Windows demands a 64-bit processor and a minimum of 4GB of RAM to function optimally. These specifications are the bare minimum to run Docker smoothly. It is recommended to have a higher RAM capacity for a better Docker experience. A machine with 8GB RAM or more can handle multiple containers and complex applications.

To support the system specification you need an active internet connection to download the necessary installation files effectively. The proper internet connection can offer seamless download process and to avoid interruptions during installation.

What are the Specifications for Installing Docker?

Some specific system configurations can significantly influence the Docker experience while the basic requirements encompass processor architecture and RAM. 

A Solid State Drive (SSD) is the best way to improve Docker’s performance. When you use large image files the performance will be obvious. This is because SSD offers faster read and write speeds, than traditional Hard Disk Drives. SSDs help in quicker container startup times and enhance responsiveness.

The available disk space is a crucial factor too. It is suggested to have enough free disk space to store your Docker images and containers without compromising system performance. This is because Docker images can occupy a substantial amount of storage. At least 20GB of free disk space should be allocated for Docker. Though the actual requirement may vary depending on your usage patterns and project size.

Why to Install Docker on Windows?

Docker installation for Windows can offer developers and organizations various advantages, here’s how:

Consistent Development Environments

Docker allows you to create consistent development environments across different machines and teams. It has eliminated the ‘works on my machine’ problem by ensuring that applications behave identically in different environments.

Improved Application Portability

Docker containers do the process of encapsulating applications, which makes them highly portable. This helps you to move applications between different platforms, such as Windows and macOS, without modifications. Docker has simplified the process of deployment and testing.

Efficient Resource Utilization

Docker helps you efficiently manage your resources. It enables you to run multiple isolated applications simultaneously on a single machine. This optimizes hardware utilization and reduces the need for extra physical servers.

Accelerated Development and Deployment

Docker for Windows has streamlined the development and deployment process. You can build, test, and deploy applications faster by using containerised workflows. This agility is essential for modern software development practices.

Enhanced Collaboration

Docker facilitates collaboration among development teams. Any team could work together efficiently and consistently across different development environments by sharing containerised applications.

Simplified Application Scaling

Docker is easy to scale applications by adding more containers. This allows you to handle increased traffic and workload without making any significant changes to the infrastructure.

Cost Reduction

Docker is best for reducing infrastructure costs, it achieves cost reduction by optimizing resource utilization and consolidating applications onto fewer physical servers.

Improved Application Isolation

Docker containers offer strong isolation, which protects applications and the host system. This enhances security and stability.

Rapid Application Delivery

Docker allows faster time-to-market by streamlining all stages of development and deployment. This makes it a critical tool in modern software workflows, especially in Docker in DevOps practices.

Integration with Windows Ecosystem

Docker seamlessly integrates with other Windows tools and technologies. This makes it a natural choice for Windows developers and administrators.

How can you Install Docker on Windows 10?

The sequence process you need to follow to install Docker on Windows 10 is given here:

Step 1: Download Docker Desktop Installer

Visit the official Docker website and download the installer for your Windows 10 version. 

Step 2: Run the Installer

Open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Enable features such as Hyper-V and Windows Subsystem for Linux for the correct functioning of Docker on Windows.

Step 3: Complete the Installation

Docker will be launched, and you can start using it after the installation finishes. The Docker dashboard will provide you with an overview of the Docker environment. It allows you to manage your containers and images.
Docker can help in a faster and automated application deployment in any type of software creation.

How can you Install Docker on Windows 11?

You need to follow a similar process to Windows 10 for installing Docker on Windows 11. 

Windows 11 offers better support for Docker and provides smoother integration and performance optimisations.

Follow the below steps for Docker installation on Windows 11:

Step 1: Download the Installer

Visit the official Docker website and download the Docker Desktop installer for Windows 11.

Step 2: Run the Installer

Open the installer and follow the on-screen prompts after the download is complete. Enable Hyper-V and WSL features for the proper functioning of Docker on Windows 11.

Step 3: Complete the Installation

Docker Installation for Windows 11 will be complete, and you can launch and begin exploring the world of containers. The core functionalities remain the same, but the interface on Windows 11 might have some visual or functional differences.

Also Read: A Simple Guide to Docker Architecture

Conclusion

This guide outlines the steps that you need to follow for successful Docker installation for Windows. In this blog, I have also shared how you can revolutionize your application development and deployment processes with Docker. Always remember that continuous exploration and experimentation are key to mastering Docker and reaping its full benefits.

The journey of learning the efficient use of Docker can be immensely rewarding. However, professional assistance and certification are crucial for handling critical projects. So, from my experience, I suggest, there is such a wide range of benefits to Docker installation for Windows. You should consider getting a DevOps Course program to develop a better understanding on Docker and its usage. Join Staragile’s for the best learning environment and experienced guidance and bolster your skillset. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Docker Desktop for Windows?

Docker Desktop for Windows is a software package that allows you to build easily, share effortlessly, and run seamlessly the containerized applications and microservices.

2. What is Docker used for?

Docker is primarily used for developing and running applications in isolated environments called containers. It offers benefits such as improved portability and scalability.

3. Who needs Docker?

Docker is beneficial for a wide range of individuals who seek to streamline application development and deployment processes. Developers and system administrators need docker the most to complete their tasks.