Docker Official Images are Moving to Alpine Linux
Discover why Docker is transitioning to Alpine Linux. Learn about the benefits of smaller, faster, and more secure containers and why you should switch your Docker images to Alpine.
Alpine Linux is near and dear to my heart. I started experimenting with Alpine Linux a while back with several of my projects, then drank the Kool-Aid and became a convert shortly after.
For those who don't know, "Alpine Linux is a security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution based on musl libc and busy box."
The latest version of Alpine Linux, v3.3, weighs in at a whopping 5MB. That's not bad for a full-blown Linux OS, considering 5MB is the same size as the Windows Start button.
Here is the actual size of the Alpine Linux OS that is available on the Docker Hub:
I stumbled across a very interesting Hacker News thread in which Solomon Hykes not only announced that all Official Docker images will move to Alpine Linux but that @Nathanel Copa the creator of Alpine Linux joined the Docker team.
Currently, the Docker official images use Ubuntu. As I've indicated in my previous article "Docker OS Base Image Comparison" the race to the smallest container is underway. It makes perfect sense from both a performance and security perspectives to switch to Alpine.
Just downloading the Ubuntu official image from Docker Hub is 188MB, and it has been downloaded over 40 million times, which equates to over 7,520 TB of data transfer between Docker Hub and users around the world just for this single image. Multiply this by all the official images, and the amount of transfer data is mind-boggling.
How will Alpine Linux benefit Docker Official Images?
- Speed in which the image is downloaded, installed, and running on your Docker host
- Security is improved as the image has a smaller footprint, thus making the attack surface smaller.
- Faster host migration is especially helpful in HA/DR configurations.
- Your system admin won't complain as much as you will use less disk space
Interested in Helping?
So, how can we help transition the official images from Ubuntu to Alpine Linux? Solomon indicated in his HN comment that Pull Requests on the Docker Library is the best place to start.
What are you waiting for? Make the Docker world a better place and start converting these images now.
Hacker News Update
It appears this story was submitted to Hacker News when I was sleeping, and it is now on the front page! Thanks for all the feedback.
FAQ Section: Docker is Moving to Alpine Linux
What is Alpine Linux and why is Docker moving to it?
Alpine Linux is a lightweight, security-focused Linux distribution known for its small size and simplicity. Docker is moving to Alpine Linux to take advantage of its minimal footprint, which reduces image sizes and improves security. This shift helps make Docker containers more efficient and faster to deploy.
How does Alpine Linux benefit Docker users?
Alpine Linux benefits Docker users by providing smaller, faster, and more secure container images. The smaller size of Alpine-based images leads to quicker downloads, reduced storage usage, and faster container startup times. Alpine’s security-focused design also reduces vulnerabilities, making it a safer choice for containerized applications.
Will there be compatibility issues when switching to Alpine Linux?
While most applications should run smoothly on Alpine Linux, some might encounter compatibility issues due to the minimalistic nature of Alpine. Alpine uses musl libc instead of glibc, which can cause compatibility issues with some precompiled binaries. It's essential to test your applications thoroughly when transitioning to Alpine-based Docker images to identify and address any potential issues.
How can I switch my Docker images to Alpine Linux?
To switch your Docker images to Alpine Linux, you need to update your Dockerfile to use an Alpine base image, typically by replacing FROM ubuntu or FROM debian with FROM alpine. After making this change, rebuild your Docker image. You may need to adjust or install additional packages due to Alpine’s minimal nature, so be sure to test your updated Docker image thoroughly.
Is Alpine Linux suitable for production environments?
Alpine Linux is suitable for production environments, particularly for lightweight, secure applications. Its small footprint and emphasis on security make it an ideal choice for production containers. However, ensuring that your application is compatible with Alpine and that you have addressed any dependencies or configurations needed for production use is essential.
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