QEMU VMs based on Docker Images

[ghost]

While I like the simplicity and performance of Docker VMs, they have some drawbacks when used within GNS3:

• Persistence - Only the persistent directories will be saved. Additionally installed software will be lost after restart.
• Host kernel - The Docker VM can only use the features available in the host kernel.
• Security - The isolation between the Docker VM and the host is not as good as with QEMU VMs.

Looking for a way to make QEMU VMs lighter and easier to setup, I found this article:
Execute Docker Containers as QEMU MicroVMs

That inspires me to create something similar. I created very small QEMU VMs based on Docker Images. For more information see https://github.com/b-ehlers/qemu-minivm (deleted). The project contains two ready-to-use appliances, just download them and import them into GNS3.

Here a short video using them. The main startup time is needed by the DHCP client, the system itself is ready in less than 2 seconds.

project.mp4

[ghost]

[grossmj]

Thanks, I am gonna check this out soon!

[grossmj]

I finally took some time to test. This is really great to have the option to run lightweight VMs, they boot really quickly. I think we should add your appliances to the gns3-registry repo.

Sad enough the use of QEMU MicroVMs is not possible in GNS3. GNS3 doesn't offer the virtio-blk-device and virtio-net-device devices. Instead of extending GNS3 I used the concept with normal QEMU VMs.

I may have missed something... what do you mean GNS3 doesn't offer the virtio-blk-device and virtio-net-device devices? How could GNS3 be extended to support these?

[ghost]

As Docker images are a good alternative, I abandon it.

[ghost]

Sure, giving the user more options is nice. However, I still believe that the benefits do not outweigh the effort required to support these new applications. So I won't create/support these appliances.

But if anyone is interested, I am happy to hand it over.

[grossmj]

Please, can you hand it over to me. I will keep it for personal use or for later in case we decide to add these appliances in the registry. Thanks 👍

[ghost]

The repository is (temporarily) available at https://github.com/b-ehlers/qemu-minivm. In the release area I have added some binaries. They should make it simpler to start with it. So you should probably copy these binaries as well.

I see no need to keep this repository private, you can use it any way you like. It's just I don't want to maintain it, because I think it is too much hassle. But, of course, you are free to have a different opinion.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

[grossmj]

Thanks, I have cloned the repo and downloaded the binaries 👍

[ghost]

Forgot, that I wanted to document the origin of the binaries in the initramfs (kernel/ramdisk-template), so you are able to update them.

I just did that, so please sync your fork.