In the world of Ubuntu, changes are a constant. One such change that has puzzled many users is the missing cockpit-docker in Ubuntu 20.04 official repositories. This article aims to shed light on what happened, why it happened, and what alternatives exist for users.
The cockpit-docker package is missing from the Ubuntu 20.04 official repositories because it has been deprecated by the Cockpit Project in favor of cockpit-podman. The shift to cockpit-podman is due to the project’s belief that Podman is the future of container management. However, cockpit-podman is also not available in the Ubuntu 20.04 repository. Users can still use cockpit-docker by manually installing an older version or explore alternatives such as the forked version available on GitHub.
Understanding Cockpit-Docker
Cockpit is an interactive server admin interface. The cockpit-docker package was used to manage Docker containers through the Cockpit interface. It provided a visual, user-friendly system for managing containers, which was particularly useful for users who preferred a GUI over command-line interfaces.
The Disappearance of Cockpit-Docker
With the release of Ubuntu 20.04, users noticed that the cockpit-docker package was no longer available in the official repositories. This was not a mistake but a deliberate decision made by the Cockpit Project. They deprecated cockpit-docker in favor of cockpit-podman.
The Shift to Cockpit-Podman
The reason for this shift is that the Cockpit Project sees Podman as the future of container management. Podman offers several advantages over Docker, including the ability to run containers as non-root users and better integration with system services. However, cockpit-podman is not available in the Ubuntu 20.04 repository either.
Workarounds and Alternatives
If you still wish to use cockpit-docker on Ubuntu 20.04, there are a few workarounds available.
Manual Installation of Cockpit-Docker
You can manually install an older version of the package. Download the cockpit-docker_215-1~ubuntu19.10.1_all.deb package from the Launchpad website and install it manually using the following command:
sudo dpkg -i cockpit-docker_215-1~ubuntu19.10.1_all.debIn this command, sudo is used to run the command with root privileges, dpkg is the package manager for Debian-based systems, -i instructs it to install a package, and cockpit-docker_215-1~ubuntu19.10.1_all.deb is the package file to be installed.
Using the Forked Version of Cockpit-Docker
Alternatively, you can use a forked version of cockpit-docker, which is available on GitHub. This version has been pulled apart as a plugin and can be found at https://github.com/Xantios/cockpit-docker.
Conclusion
While cockpit-docker is no longer included in the Ubuntu 20.04 repository, there are still ways to use it or its alternatives. It’s important to note that the Cockpit Project is actively promoting the use of cockpit-podman as a replacement for cockpit-docker. If you encounter any issues with installing cockpit-podman, you can upvote the official bug on GitHub to bring attention to the problem.
In the ever-evolving world of Ubuntu, changes like these are to be expected. By staying informed and exploring alternative solutions, users can continue to enjoy a seamless experience.
The Cockpit Project deprecated cockpit-docker in favor of cockpit-podman, as they see Podman as the future of container management.
Podman offers the ability to run containers as non-root users and better integration with system services, making it a preferred choice for the Cockpit Project.
Yes, you can manually install an older version of cockpit-docker from the Launchpad website or use a forked version available on GitHub.
You can download the cockpit-docker_215-1~ubuntu19.10.1_all.deb package from the Launchpad website and install it using the command sudo dpkg -i cockpit-docker_215-1~ubuntu19.10.1_all.deb.
The forked version of cockpit-docker can be found on GitHub at https://github.com/Xantios/cockpit-docker.
If you encounter issues with installing cockpit-podman, you can upvote the official bug on GitHub to bring attention to the problem and seek assistance from the Cockpit Project community.
