How To Run CentOS LXC Containers on Ubuntu 20.04 without YUM

In this article, we’ll explore how to run CentOS LXC (Linux Container) on Ubuntu 20.04 without using YUM, the default package manager for CentOS. This can be a bit challenging since YUM is not officially supported in Ubuntu 20.04, but we’ll walk you through two alternative solutions: Docker and lxc-create.

Table of Contents

1. Using Docker
2. Using lxc-create
Conclusion

1. Using Docker

Docker is an open-source platform that allows you to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of applications. It uses containerization technology to bundle an application and its dependencies into a single object.

First, you need to install Docker on your Ubuntu 20.04 machine. You can do this with the following command:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install docker-ce

Next, pull the CentOS 8 image from Docker Hub:

docker pull roboxes/centos8

Now, create a custom executable file /usr/bin/yum with the following code:

#!/bin/bash
docker run --rm -it -v "$(pwd)":/workdir -w /workdir roboxes/centos8 yum "$@"

This script runs a Docker container with the CentOS 8 image and executes the YUM command. The -v "$(pwd)":/workdir option mounts the current directory to the /workdir directory in the container, and the -w /workdir option sets the working directory to /workdir.

2. Using `lxc-create`

The lxc-create command is a part of the LXC (Linux Containers) package. It’s used to create a new container.

First, you need to install the LXC package on your Ubuntu 20.04 machine:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install lxc

Then, create a CentOS 7 container using the lxc-create command with the --template=download option:

lxc-create --name centos7 --template=download -- --dist=centos --release=7 --arch=amd64

In this command, --name centos7 specifies the name of the new container, --template=download tells lxc-create to download a new container image, --dist=centos sets the distribution of the new container to CentOS, --release=7 sets the release version, and --arch=amd64 sets the architecture.

Conclusion

Running CentOS LXC containers on Ubuntu 20.04 without YUM can be a bit tricky, but it’s certainly possible. You can either use Docker as a workaround or create a CentOS 7 container using the lxc-create command. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that best suits your needs.

Can I run CentOS LXC containers on Ubuntu 20.04 without using YUM?

Yes, you can run CentOS LXC containers on Ubuntu 20.04 without using YUM. You can use either Docker or the lxc-create command as alternative solutions.

How do I install Docker on Ubuntu 20.04?

To install Docker on Ubuntu 20.04, you can use the following commands:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install docker-ce

How do I pull the CentOS 8 image from Docker Hub?

To pull the CentOS 8 image from Docker Hub, use the following command:

docker pull roboxes/centos8

How do I create a custom executable file `/usr/bin/yum`?

To create a custom executable file /usr/bin/yum, you can create a new file with the following code:

#!/bin/bash
docker run --rm -it -v "$(pwd)":/workdir -w /workdir roboxes/centos8 yum "$@"

Save this file as /usr/bin/yum and make it executable using the chmod +x /usr/bin/yum command.

How do I install the LXC package on Ubuntu 20.04?

To install the LXC package on Ubuntu 20.04, you can use the following commands:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install lxc

How do I create a CentOS 7 container using `lxc-create`?

To create a CentOS 7 container using lxc-create, use the following command:

lxc-create --name centos7 --template=download -- --dist=centos --release=7 --arch=amd64

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Docker or `lxc-create`?

The advantages of using Docker are its automation capabilities, easy deployment, and scalability. Docker allows you to package applications and their dependencies into a single object, making it convenient for managing applications. On the other hand, the advantage of using lxc-create is that it is a part of the LXC package and provides a lightweight container solution. However, lxc-create may require more manual configuration compared to Docker.

Which method should I choose, Docker or `lxc-create`?

The choice between Docker and lxc-create depends on your specific needs. If you require automation and easy management of applications, Docker is a good choice. If you prefer a lightweight container solution and are comfortable with more manual configuration, lxc-create can be a suitable option. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each method and choose the one that aligns with your requirements.