Deprecated Docker Desktop makes a big move: Announcing support for Linux

On May 10, local time, at DockerCon 2022 , Docker CEO Scott Johnston announced that Docker Desktop is coming to Linux , providing developers using the Linux desktop environment with the exact same Docker Desktop experience that is currently available on macOS and Windows.

Docker Desktop is a Docker container integrated development environment (IDE) that includes support for Docker Engine, Docker CLI client, Docker Compose, Docker Content Trust, Kubernetes, and Credential Helper.

Docker Desktop helps developers easily build and share containerized applications and microservices. Docker is also often bundled with container tools like Kubernetes, Docker Compose, BuildKit, and vulnerability scanning. Windows and macOS versions have been available for some time, and this is the first time a Linux version has appeared.

Docker Desktop screen for Linux

Why build Docker Desktop for Linux?

Docker mentioned in its official blog that Docker Desktop for Linux is the second-most developer-focused issue on Docker’s public roadmap. From their conversations with Linux developers who voted for the roadmap issue, it became apparent that the developers wanted to implement the following ideas:

• Have a unified Docker experience on all major operating systems;

• Instant access to new features (such as Docker Extensions) that were previously only available in the Docker Desktop application on Windows and Mac;

• Docker Desktop provides seamless Kubernetes integration;

• Docker Desktop’s UI makes it easier to manage volumes, containers, and images with data, and provides insight into the Docker processes running on the developer’s machine.

According to Chris McLellan , senior product manager at Docker, “As we continue to add value to Docker Desktop, it’s important for us that the Linux community can benefit from it.” McLellan added, “That is, a willingness to use Docker Engine on Linux. of course developers can continue to do so! Linux Desktop just ensures that Linux developers can take advantage of all the new features built into Docker Desktop without compromising on their existing, CLI-based workflows.”

Docker also releases Docker Extensions

In addition, while Docker Desktop successfully supports the Linux platform, Docker officially released the latest version of Docker Extensions ( https://docs.docker.com/desktop/extensions/ ) and Docker Extension SDK Beta version ( https://docs. docker.com/desktop/extensions-sdk/ ). Docker Extensions allow developers to build new functionality, extend existing functionality, and integrate other tools within Docker Desktop.

As of now, Docker has announced that Docker Extensions is supported by 14 partners including JFrog, Red Hat, Snyk, and VMware.

Explaining the feature, Docker CEO Scott Johnston said: “Large, complex cloud-native tooling environments present challenges for developers who now need the right tools for the right jobs. Docker Extensions enable developers to quickly discover and get started Use the tools their applications need without wasting time searching, downloading, configuring, evaluating and managing tools.”

Among them, it is worth mentioning that JFrog Xray’s Docker Desktop Extensions allow developers to automatically scan Docker containers for vulnerabilities and violations early in development. “With software supply chain attacks on the rise, we want to give developers early insight into any risks so they can enable teams to respond and remediate in a timely manner,” Stephen Chen, vice president of developer relations at JFrog, said in a statement. , saves downtime so you don’t lose the trust of your customers.”

JFrog Docker Desktop Extension integration allows developers to:

• Monitor and audit the security of software packaged in Docker containers;

• Identify vulnerable artifacts in Docker containers before deployment and in production;

• Enhanced forensic investigations provide comprehensive visibility into software security incidents;

• Get up and running quickly by connecting easily with Docker Desktop in the JFrog platform.

Install Docker Desktop on Linux

It is important to note that installing Docker Desktop may not be easy at the moment. The Docker team also plans to improve the installation and update process soon.

So far, interested users can get DEB and RPM packages that officially support Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora. The Docker Desktop package for Arch Linux is a work in progress, but can be tested. Additionally, if the user is on a non-GNOME desktop environment, GNOME Terminal needs to be installed.

In general, the overall system requirements for Docker Desktop on Linux include:

• 64-bit Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Ubuntu 21.10, Fedora 35, Fedora 36 or Debian 11;

• KVM virtualization support;

• QEMU 5.2 or later;

• System initialization system;

• GNOME or KDE desktop environment;

• 4 GB RAM.

Reference link:

https://www.docker.com/blog/the-magic-of-docker-desktop-is-now-available-on-linux/

https://clomiddrug.com/docker-desktop-for-linux-has-finally-arrived/

https://news.itsfoss.com/docker-desktop-linux/

The text and pictures in this article are from InfoQ