Linux Containers (LXC) is an operating-system-level virtualization technology that enables running multiple isolated instances of Linux on a single host system. LXC utilizes Linux kernel cgroups and namespaces to isolate processes, networking, and filesystem of containers from the host system, bringing benefits of lower resource overhead compared to traditional hypervisor-based virtualization.

Preparing the System for LXC

Installing LXC

On most Linux distributions, you can install LXC through the standard package management system. For example, on Debian or Ubuntu, you can do so with the following command:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install lxc lxc-templates

Configuring Networking

LXC supports various networking modes, including bridging, NAT, and macvlan. For straightforward deployment, the bridging mode is recommended, which can be configured in the /etc/lxc/default.conf file. An example configuration for bridging:

lxc.net.0.type = veth
lxc.net.0.link = lxcbr0
lxc.net.0.flags = up
lxc.net.0.hwaddr = <mac-address>

Creating LXC Containers

Using Templates

LXC provides pre-configured templates for various Linux distributions, making it easier to create new containers. To create a container using a template, run:

sudo lxc-create -n <container-name> -t <distribution> -- -r <version>

Starting and Logging into Containers

After creating a container, you can start it using the command:

sudo lxc-start -n <container-name>

To log into the running container, use:

sudo lxc-attach -n <container-name>

Managing Containers

Stopping and Removing Containers

To stop a running container, use the command:

sudo lxc-stop -n <container-name>

To remove a container, use:

sudo lxc-destroy -n <container-name>

Snapshots and Cloning Containers

LXC allows creating snapshots of existing containers, useful for backup or cloning purposes. To create a snapshot:

sudo lxc-snapshot -n <container-name> -N <snapshot-name>

To clone a container from a snapshot:

sudo lxc-clone -o <original-container> -n <new-container> -s <snapshot-name>

LXC offers an efficient and flexible solution for lightweight virtualization on VPS, allowing isolation of applications and services with minimal performance overhead. With broad support and easy management, it is suitable for developers, system administrators, and technology enthusiasts seeking an alternative to traditional virtualization technologies.