The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was introduced in the Windows 10 Spring Update of 2018. It allows users to run a variety of Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and others, on their Windows 10 machines. Many IT admins have been wondering if the WSL also allows them to run Docker on it.
The short answer is yes, IT admins can use Docker on the Windows Subsystem for Linux. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind.
First, you will need to install Docker on the Linux distribution of your choice. Docker does not come pre-installed with the WSL, so you will need to install it yourself. Fortunately, this is a relatively straightforward process.
Once you have installed Docker, you have a few options for how you can use it. You can use it to run containers that are hosted on the Linux distribution, or you can use it to run containers that are hosted on another machine. This could be a remote machine, such as a cloud server, or a local machine, such as your Windows 10 machine.
The next consideration is that you cannot use the Windows Subsystem for Linux to run Windows containers. This means that if you want to run Windows containers, you will need to use the Windows version of Docker.
Finally, there are some limitations to using Docker on the Windows Subsystem for Linux. For example, some Docker features, such as multi-stage builds, are not supported. Additionally, there are some networking-related issues that can arise when using Docker on the WSL.
Overall, the Windows Subsystem for Linux does allow IT admins to use Docker on it, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. It is important to make sure that you are aware of the limitations and that you have a plan for how you will use Docker on the WSL. With the proper planning, you can use Docker on the WSL to great success.
