Microsoft Bringing Windows Containers to Windows Server 2016

Last October, Microsoft and Docker partnered to announce plans for developing Containers for Windows Server. Since then, Microsoft has delayed its next version of Windows Server to 2016, but that has not stopped the company from issuing a list of proposed improvements that will be coming.

In addition to delivering news and a demo for its upcoming, GUI-less Nano Server yesterday, the company has also given us an update on what is planned for Containers.

Docker Containers rely on Linux as the core operating system, but the Windows Server Container version will provide much of the same functionality but be based on the Windows Server operating system. To get a better understanding of what Docker is and how Containers change the way applications work, read through John Savill's article: What is Docker?

Additionally, to deploy Containers within the Windows Server environment, Microsoft is working on Hyper-V Containers. Hyper-V Containers is a new container deployment option with enhanced isolation powered by Hyper-V virtualization.

A Docker client for Windows already exists, first released in November 2014, and maintained on GitHub as an open source extension. As we get closer to a full Windows Server 2016 deliver, I'm sure the client will be ready to work within the new framework.

With the Windows Server Container, Hyper-V Container, and the Windows Docker client, here's how Microsoft is proposing the stack will work…

A live, public demo is planned for BUILD in a few weeks and you can expect a more in-depth treatment delivered at Ignite shortly after. We'll be on hand for both events, so you should expect some precise coverage for this new technology.