Skip to main content

Using Docker to Run Various OS in a Single Computer through CLI Tools

·275 words·2 mins

The tool you are looking for is likely Docker Buildx. Docker Buildx is an extension of the Docker CLI that enables multi-platform builds, supporting multiple operating systems (OS) and CPU architectures. This allows you to create and use images for various platforms on a single computer12.

Docker Buildx was introduced experimentally in Docker version 19 and has been integrated by default since version 20. It allows you to generate images that support different platforms through QEMU emulation or native builds12.

With this tool, you can:

  • Build Docker images for multiple OS and architectures at once.
  • Test and deploy applications in a multi-platform environment.
  • Simulate different execution environments without the need for separate VMs.

In addition to Docker Buildx, there are tools like Lima, which allow you to manage a Linux VM on Mac and use Docker, though it primarily focuses on providing the Docker engine’s runtime environment3.


Search for Information Based on English Sources
#

The tool you are looking for might be Distrobox. Distrobox is a CLI-based tool that allows you to run multiple Linux distributions on a single computer using Docker or Podman containers. This enables you to easily test various operating systems or set up development environments.

Distrobox offers the following features:

  • Run chosen Linux distributions in containers.
  • Integrate closely with the host system, sharing file systems, networks, and user environments.
  • Operate based on Docker or Podman, providing a lightweight virtualization environment.

This tool is particularly useful for developers who want to perform testing and development tasks across multiple OS environments. Additionally, you can consider functionalities like Docker Buildx, which supports multi-platform builds and OS execution using Docker itself.