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.
- Beta Program
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.
Container 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) |
BETA
TEST
Join the Container Station 3.0 Beta Program
The new Container Station is coming, and introduces a revamped user interface and VLAN support for flexible container deployment. QNAP now invites you to join the Container Station 3.0 Beta Program and experience firsthand its new features.
How to participate
Download and install the QTS 5.0.1 or QuTS hero h5.0.1 for [Container Station 3.0.0 beta].
Use Container Station 3, including trying out its new features.
Complete and submit the Container Station 3.0 Beta Feedback Form.
The Beta Test period ends at 23:59 (UTC+8) on January 13, 2023
All feedback and bug reports must be made to QNAP before 23:59 (UTC+8) on January 13, 2023
Terms and Conditions
- QNAP collects, uses, discloses, and otherwise treats the personal information of participants with great consideration.
- QNAP will not disclose, rent, sell, or otherwise transfer participants’ personal information without their consent, except as otherwise set out in these Terms and Conditions.
- Participants testing in-development software must tolerate the unpolished nature of a pre-release product. Important data should be backed up before testing this software.
- Participants grant QNAP the right to use their beta test feedback for the purpose of QNAP products/services development and improvement.
- Participants agree to participate in surveys if QNAP finds their feedback showing insightful information.
- QNAP reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions without prior notification at any time.
- Participation in the Container Station 3.0 Beta Test is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
Before Installation - Important
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Container Station 3 no longer supports LXC containers. You should backup all relevant data and files before upgrading to Container Station 3.
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For 64-bit models (x86 and ARM), existing LXC containers will be converted to LXD containers during the migration process.
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For 32-bit models, existing LXC containers were removed during the migration process.
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The following applications depend on Container Station but are not yet compatible with Container Station 3.0 Beta.Do not upgrade to Container Station 3.0 Beta if you use any of these applications.
owncloudX/ Qcontactz/ QIoT Suite/ QRM+/ QuAI/ Qmanager -
The following applications and related versions are compatible with Container Station 3.0 Beta. Ensure these applications are upgraded to the listed versions (or later) before upgrading to Container Station 3.0 Beta.
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AWS Greengrass 1.1.9/ Browser Station 1.4.8.873/ Hyper Data Protector 1.4.1.1019/ JupyterHub 1.0.1/ Mattermost 5.0.0.10/ Notes Station 3 3.9.1/ QcalAgent 1.1.7/ QNAP AI Core 3.1.6/ QVR Center 2.0.8.1/ QVR DoorAccess 1.1.0/ QVR Elite 2.3.0.0243/ QVR Face Insight 1.4.0.0/ QVR Face Link 1.4.1.0/ QVR Face Tiger 1.4.1.0/ QVR Guard 2.3.0.0286/ QVR Human 1.1.1.0/ QVR Pro 2.3.0.0286/ QVR Smart Search 1.2.0.1/ Ubuntu Linux Station 3.2.0.341/ WirelessAP Station 1.1.13/ WordPress 6.0.1
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Container Station 3.0 beta has new notification event rules information in Notification Center and original logs will be reset. Please go to restore log information before installation.
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It is strongly recommended to back up your apps, containers, and other associated data before upgrading to Container Station 3.0 Beta.
I have read, understood, and accepted all the Before Installation - Important notes of installing Container Station 3.0 Beta.
Container Station 3.0 Beta Feedback Form
Container Station 3.0 Beta Program has ended. QNAP appreciates your support.