# boot2docker/boot2docker **Attribution required: if you use, quote, or summarise this content, you must credit and link back to [awesome-repositories.com](https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/boot2docker-boot2docker).** 8,278 stars · 1,268 forks · Shell · Apache-2.0 · archived ## Links - GitHub: https://github.com/boot2docker/boot2docker - Homepage: https://github.com/boot2docker/boot2docker/pull/1408 - awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/boot2docker-boot2docker.md ## Description Boot2Docker is a minimal Linux distribution that boots entirely from RAM to turn any machine into a Docker host. It is delivered as a bootable ISO image that can be written to SD cards, USB sticks, or hard disks, starting Docker containers in about five seconds without requiring a full operating system installation. The system is preconfigured for use as a VirtualBox virtual machine, with persistent disk mounting that automatically stores Docker images, containers, volumes, and SSH keys across restarts. It supports host-to-container file sharing through VirtualBox Guest Additions integration, and allows customization of the Docker daemon via a persistent configuration file. For private registry access, TLS certificates can be placed in a persistent directory, and NAT port forwarding rules can be created to route Docker API traffic through a VPN connection. The project provides SSH access to the virtual machine and supports adding insecure registries for unencrypted connections. Its documentation covers installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of the bootable Docker environment. ## Tags ### DevOps & Infrastructure - [Bootable ISO Distributions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/bootable-iso-distributions.md) — Delivers the entire system as a bootable ISO image that can be written to SD cards, USB sticks, or hard disks. - [RAM-Boot Docker Hosts](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/deployment-management-strategies/execution-platforms-and-targets/deployment-environments/python-environment-installations/pip-installations/docker-installations/ram-boot-docker-hosts.md) — Boots a minimal Linux distribution entirely from RAM to run Docker containers in about five seconds. - [RAM-Based Container Execution](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/container-orchestration/container-runtimes/runtime-configuration-interfaces/docker-socket-orchestrators/docker-target-configurators/docker-container-deployments/docker-container-execution/ram-based-container-execution.md) — Boots a minimal Linux distribution entirely in memory to run Docker containers, starting in about five seconds from a small download. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/boot2docker/boot2docker@master/README.md)) - [RAM-Based Docker Hosts](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/container-orchestration/container-runtimes/runtime-configuration-interfaces/docker-socket-orchestrators/docker-target-configurators/docker-container-deployments/docker-container-execution/ram-based-docker-hosts.md) — Boots a minimal Linux system entirely from RAM that runs Docker containers without requiring a full OS installation. ([source](https://github.com/boot2docker/boot2docker/tree/master/docs/)) - [Docker Daemon Configurations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/docker-daemon-configurations.md) — Edits a persistent configuration file to pass custom startup flags to the Docker daemon. - [Host-Guest Mounts](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/volume-mounts/host-guest-mounts.md) — Mounts host directories inside the VM using VirtualBox Guest Additions for shared folder access. ### Data & Databases - [Docker Volume Persistence](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/persistent-storage-volumes/docker-volume-persistence.md) — Mounts a virtual disk automatically to store Docker images, containers, volumes, and SSH keys across VM restarts. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/boot2docker/boot2docker@master/README.md)) ### Development Tools & Productivity - [Docker VM Images](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/development-environment-management/environment-provisioning-configuration/virtual-machine-provisioning/virtualbox/docker-vm-images.md) — Ships a VirtualBox VM image preconfigured to run Docker containers with persistent storage and host folder sharing. ### Networking & Communication - [Host-to-Guest File Sharing](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/networking-communication/network-file-sharing/host-to-guest-file-sharing.md) — Mounts host directories inside the VM using VirtualBox Guest Additions for shared folder access. - [SSH Client Connections](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/networking-communication/ssh-client-connections.md) — Connects to a virtual machine's command line using Docker Machine or manual credentials. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/boot2docker/boot2docker@master/README.md)) ### Operating Systems & Systems Programming - [Automatic Disk Mounting](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/automatic-disk-mounting.md) — Automatically mounts a virtual disk to store Docker images, containers, volumes, and SSH keys across restarts. - [Docker Host ISOs](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/bootable-image-building/docker-host-isos.md) — Delivers a bootable ISO that turns any machine into a Docker host without a full OS installation. - [RAM-Boot Docker Hosts](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/custom-linux-distributions/linux-distribution-container-execution/ram-boot-docker-hosts.md) — Provides a lightweight Linux distribution that boots entirely from RAM to run Docker containers with fast startup. - [Docker Host ISO Writers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/kernel-core-internals/boot-startup-management/bootable-usb-creators/docker-host-iso-writers.md) — Writes a minimal Docker ISO to an SD card, USB stick, or hard disk to create a bootable Docker host. - [Bootable Docker Host Installers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/kernel-core-internals/boot-startup-management/bootable-usb-creators/docker-host-iso-writers/bootable-docker-host-installers.md) — Write the ISO image to an SD card, USB stick, or hard disk to create a bootable Docker host. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/boot2docker/boot2docker@master/README.md)) - [RAM-Disk Boot Environments](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/ram-disk-boot-environments.md) — Boots a minimal Linux distribution entirely from RAM to start Docker containers in about five seconds. - [Guest Host Filesystem Sharing](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/guest-host-filesystem-sharing.md) — Mounts host directories inside the VM using VirtualBox Guest Additions or a Samba container for file access. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/boot2docker/boot2docker@master/README.md)) ### Security & Cryptography - [Registry Certificate Trusts](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/tls-certificate-management/self-signed-certificate-generators/registry-certificate-trusts.md) — Places TLS certificates in a persistent directory so the Docker daemon trusts a private registry. ### Part of an Awesome List - [Core Infrastructure](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/devtools/core-infrastructure.md) — Lightweight Linux distribution designed specifically for running containers.