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Docker has always used microVMs (well since 2016)

48 points · 40 comments · avsm

  1. rvz · · focus · HN ↗
    ...*on macOS only and runs qemu as the emulator.

    We know. But of course the hype of "microVMs" is just a rebranding of existing technologies with some modifications, macOS needed extra virtualization technologies just for containers for years:

       Docker Desktop macOS (until 2025): QEMU + Virtualization.framework + Linux kernel (without extra drivers) = "microVM".
    
    Now they use the native Apple virtualization libraries instead of QEMU for both containers and microVMs. [0] Linux never needed to use KVM for containers, but requires it for microVMs:

       Linux: KVM + Linux kernel (without extra drivers) = Firecracker "microVM".
    
    In reality, it is different depending on the OS that you are using.

    [0] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.docker.com&#x2F;blog&#x2F;docker-desktop-for-mac-qemu-virtualization-option-to-be-deprecated-in-90-days&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.docker.com&#x2F;blog&#x2F;docker-desktop-for-mac-qemu-virt...

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