My Journey: Transitioning from a Single Docker Host to Multiple LXC Containers

Having been a dedicated user of Portainer for quite some time, I’ve found it to be a reliable tool, offering a comprehensive overview of my container environment. Nonetheless, as with any platform, there are drawbacks. Recently, my interest was piqued by LXC containers after watching an informative video. I pondered, “Could a transition from Portainer to LXC containers be beneficial?” After making the switch, I can confidently say it has been a positive experience. In this piece, I’ll delve into the reasons behind my decision, the process of transitioning, and offer guidance for those contemplating a similar move in their container setup.

Drawbacks of Portainer

1. Single Point of Failure: Relying on Portainer within a single node or VM left me vulnerable. Any issue with the setup could potentially bring down all my containers.
2. Port Management: Juggling different ports for various services proved cumbersome. Personally, I preferred consolidating services under port 80 for ease of access.
3. Log Debugging: Troubleshooting logs was a bit convoluted due to their centralized location.
4. Curiosity: The desire to explore something new served as a catalyst for considering alternatives.

Transition Process

1. Docker Compose Files: To facilitate seamless deployment, I transitioned to Docker Compose files, enabling swift setup and replication of containers.
2. LXC Container Setup:
   • Installation of Docker within LXC containers, albeit nested, proved feasible.
   • Integration of an NFS share into LXC containers, albeit not natively supported, was achieved through custom configurations (refer to my GitHub repository for detailed instructions).
3. Template Creation: Once a container was configured to my specifications, I established it as a template for the streamlined creation of subsequent containers.

Considerations for Adoption

1. Proxmox Users: Transitioning from Portainer to LXC containers is relatively straightforward for those already utilizing Proxmox. However, users of alternative solutions lacking LXC support may find sticking with Portainer more practical.
2. GUI Preference: For those who value a graphical interface, Portainer continues to be a viable option.

Conclusion

This transition reflects my personal journey. Should you be contemplating a similar shift from Portainer to LXC containers, my experiences and outlined steps could serve as a helpful guide. Should you encounter any challenges along the way, feel free to reach out. I’m more than willing to offer assistance.