Container Station
FAQ
QNAP Container Station exclusively integrates LXD and Docker®, Kata lightweight virtualization technologies, allowing you to operate multiple isolated Linux® systems on a QNAP NAS as well as download apps from the built-in Docker® Hub/LXD Image Server Registry.
An Official Docker ® Partner: QNAP NAS is perfect for running containers
The container management market is forecast to grow to nearly $1 billion by 2024. QNAP's Container solution leverages the powerful hardware of QNAP NAS to deploy the most ideal Docker® container execution and storage environment, while ensuring data security and availability.
LXD and Docker®, Kata Containers inclusive
LXD supports OS-level virtualization for Linux®-based operating systems, while Docker® and Kata are ideal for application virtualization purposes. While most NAS on the market only support Docker® containers, QNAP is the only NAS brand on the market that supports LXD, Docker®, and Kata, offering the clear choice for comprehensive virtualization solutions.
LXD | Docker® | Kata | |
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Architecture | Supports a fully-virtualized Linux® OS including boot-up procedures | Single image and running as an application | Powered by Hypervisor Virtualization Technology |
Purposes |
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Advantages |
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| Has the security of virtual machines with fast and easy Docker® deployment |
The brand new UI
Container Station 3.0
The optimized user interface allows you to run containers with greater efficiency and flexibility.
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Convenient settings
Recreate containers with ease
Before: You need to first delete and then create a new container to change configuration.
See AlsoUsing an ASUSTOR NAS with Docker - ASUSTOR NASHow to Work with Containers in TrueNASEverything you need to know to about karate kataLinux Containers - LXD - Has been moved to CanonicalContainer Station 3.0: Change configurations online and update in real time by recreating running or stopped containers.
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Convenient settings
Save the frequently used container commands for efficiency
Before: You can only repeatedly enter frequently-used commands when making container changes.
Container Station 3.0: Add frequently-used commands to the list and apply directly.
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Easy management
Upload Image and YAML files from cloud or local devices
Before: You can only download Images and YAML files from Docker Hub / LXD Server to QNAP NAS.
Container Station 3.0: You can also upload images from your computer or NAS to Container Station.
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Easy management
Multiple network modes
Before: Either NAT or bridge mode is supported for containers to communicate with each other.
Container Station 3.0: Supports multiple network modes and VLAN for flexible deployment.
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Easy management
Customized container information lists
Before: There are only six information items on the container information lists.
Container Station 3.0: Use up to twenty-three information items on the container information lists for flexible display.
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Easy management
App templates for quick starts
Before: Frequently-used apps or containers must always be found and downloaded before use.
Container Station 3.0: Frequently-used apps or containers can be saved as templates, removing the need to constantly find and download them.
Deploy K3s simulation environment with QNAP NAS
According to Gartner, 85% of organizations worldwide will have containerized applications running in their operational environment by 2025. With the increasing popularity of containers and the growing number of deployed applications, QNAP NAS can help you deploy a single-node Kubernetes (K3s) development for testing before moving to the cloud. This service is not only free, but also provides more powerful hardware.
Note: K3s is available in QTS 4.5.4 (or later), QuTScloud 4.5.7 (or later), and QuTS hero h5.0.1 (or later)
Start your Container Station with One-click setup
Container Station setup is fast and easy, with automatic configuration detection that enables one-click installation. Using container applications is as easy as clicking the “Create” button.
Learn more: How to Run LXD Container Instances in Container Station
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Go to the search function in "Create" to search for the containers such as "Ubuntu" directly,
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Select the container categories of "Docker Hub" or "LXD Image Server" below to show all the container lists,
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Start creating a new container.
Go to the search function in "Create" to search for the containers such as "Ubuntu" directly,
Select the container categories of "Docker Hub" or "LXD Image Server" below to show all the container lists,
Start creating a new container.
Complete management features
Container import / export
Support for container import / export makes backup and transfer simple and easy.
At-a-glance dashboard
Provides a clear overview of NAS and container system resource usage.
Flexible user interface
Use either a command line interface or a convenient web interface.
Permission settings
Control access to shared folders on the NAS, other containers’ data, or NAS devices.
Low cost, rapid deployment ideal for different application scenarios
Over 100,000 applications are available from the built-in Docker® Hub/LXD/Kata Image Server Registry. Choose from databases, web servers, programming languages, and entire development suites and install them as easily as apps on a smartphone. Alternatively, use a Linux® container to run multiple applications. All of these possibilities make Container Station ideal to meet the needs of different sectors, developers, and the Linux® community.
A hybrid approach to virtualization
QNAP’s Virtualization Station and Container Station jointly introduce a hybrid approach to virtualization. No matter what your virtualization needs are, you can count on QNAP for a complete range of virtualization support.
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Virtualization Station
• Complete OS virtualization solution
• Supports Windows® , Linux®, UNIX® , and Android ™
• Secure, isolated computing environment
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Container Station
• Lightweight Linux®-based OS and app virtualization solution
• Supports LXD and Docker®, Kata containers
• Easy deployment, portable, and efficient
VM, LXD, and Docker®, Kata: you may need them all
In many use cases, a virtual machine is the ideal deployment solution for systems with fixed resources. In recent times, LXD and Docker® has grown to be the perfect choice for administrators to deploy extremely lightweight operating systems. Meanwhile, Kata is ideal for both businesses and personal users for enhanced security. With an increasing level of sophistication and choice, tailoring your virtualization strategy to fit your needs just got a lot easier.
Virtualization platform/ Requirement | Windows® OS | Windows® application | Linux® OS | Linux® application | Setup time | Resource requirements | Enhanced Security |
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Virtual Machine | |||||||
LXD | |||||||
Docker® | |||||||
Kata |
Minimum System Requirements
Docker® | Kata | LXD | |
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CPU architecture | 64-bit x86-based/ARM-based NAS, 32-bit ARM-based NAS | 64-bit x86-based NAS | 64-bit x86-based/ARM-based NAS |
Memory | 1GB | 4GB | 2GB |
Operating System | QTS 4.2.6 (or above) QuTS hero: h4.5.0 (or above) QuTScloud: c4.5.1 (or above) | QTS 4.2 (or above) QuTS hero: h4.5.4 (or above) Note: NAS models requiring QTS 5.0.0/ QuTS hero h5.0.0: TVS-x63, TS-x63U, TVS-x73, TS-x73A, TS-x73AU, TS-x73U, TS-x73 | QTS 4.5.3 (or above) QuTS hero: h4.5.3 (or above) QuTScloud: c4.5.6 (or above) |