Specifying Rootfs to Create a Container ​

Function Description ​

Different from a common container that needs to be started by specifying a container image, a system container is started by specifying a local root file system (rootfs) using the --external-rootfs parameter. The rootfs contains the operating system environment on which the container depends during running.

Parameter Description ​

Constraints ​

• The rootfs directory specified using the --external-rootfs parameter must be an absolute path.
• The rootfs directory specified using the --external-rootfs parameter must be a complete OS environment including systemd package. Otherwise, the container fails to be started.
• When a container is deleted, the rootfs directory specified using --external-rootfs is not deleted.
• Containers based on an ARM rootfs cannot run in the x86 environment. Containers based on an x86 rootfs cannot run in the ARM environment.
• You are advised not to start multiple container instances in the same rootfs. That is, one rootfs is used by only one container instance that is in the lifecycle.

Example ​

Assuming the local rootfs path is /root/myrootfs, run the following command to start a system container:

# isula run  -tid --system-container --external-rootfs /root/myrootfs none init