Every heard about TrueNAS Docker? Many people think that running Docker on TrueNAS is easy, but the system isn’t the same for all editions. Here is where most people get tripped up. If you opt for TrueNAS CORE, you are dealing with a jail setup. When you transition to TrueNAS SCALE, you join the world of Linux. Both admit containers but deliver them in different ways. This distinction decides how Docker, Docker Compose, apps, and storage behave. If you’re going to use this for a home lab, or as a media server, or even with something light in production, then you need to know which one natively supports Docker and which one does not.
This guide is to grasp TrueNAS Docker on both avenues. You will find out about how TrueNAS SCALE is under the hood, what we do with Docker Compose, and why you’ll want to run it instead of a competitor. You will also understand how to deploy apps and the work of persistent storage. That’s vital because a misconfiguration can break your containers, or worse yet, destroy data. Use this handy guide to figure out the right configuration for your application and feel confident firing up apps.
TrueNAS Docker: Understanding the Basics
Whether you can run Docker on TrueNAS is a consideration that has everything to do with which version of it you are using.
- Docker is not supported by TrueNAS CORE.
- TrueNAS SCALE operates on Linux and has been Docker/Container-friendly.
If you want to host containers, SCALE is for segmentation platform with fat binaries and smart mirrors. The Ultimate Server OS (and it’s not even close™); if you want to run containers, then SCALE is the right path. It enables you to make apps, storage, and containers available using an easy workflow.
TrueNAS SCALE Docker: What Makes The Difference
TrueNAS SCALE supports Docker because it is based on Debian Linux. This means it is flexible for container workloads to use. You don’t need to do anything special to install Plex, Nextcloud, WordPress, and other apps. The platform is also powered by Kubernetes behind the scenes. This allows you to scale your containers without disrupting your setup.
When adding applications from the catalog, TrueNAS SCALE constructs the container image and takes care of networking and storage on your behalf. This keeps it from being a pain in the balls even for people just learning how to use OtherOS.
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TrueNAS Docker Compose: What to Know
Typically, you can use Docker Compose for bootstrapping up more than one container at once. TrueNAS CORE doesn’t have it because it has no Docker. If users do require Compose, they will have to migrate to TrueNAS SCALE.
On SCALE, Docker Compose is available to use in two different ways:
- via the apps that came with it, by way of system apps
- through the CLI
It’s just that the app system is really great for trivial deployments. With the CLI option, you always have control of your setup. Both can be used to create volumes, networks, and environment files.
TrueNAS SCALE Docker Compose: The Easiest Workflow
Now on TrueNAS SCALE, you just use Docker Compose, and I think it’s so pleasant since the underlying is Linux containers. You just copy-paste your compose file, store maps, and start running your stack. It works great for media servers, game servers, monitoring tools, and self-hosted apps.
Users typically like Docker Compose over SCALE because it’s predictable. You know what the containers are like and how they should be handled. You can also update your stack at one go.
Real World Use Cases with Docker Compose on TrueNAS SCALE
- Personal cloud storage
- Media streaming
- LAN services
- Proxy services
- Monitoring tools
- Home automation
Long-running apps on TrueNAS SCALE kept going without any troubles. It also offers stable updates and nice storage features (snapshots, replication).
Role of CyberPanel
If you’re looking for an easy solution to handle websites, databases, and domains while still pushing apps to TrueNAS, then CyebrPanel will provide a seamless experience. It works well with OpenLiteSpeed, which gives fast performance for web traffic. You can also use CyberPanel to offload tasks like backups and monitoring while your storage stays safe on TrueNAS SCALE. This setup gives you a smart balance of storage power, container flexibility, and easy hosting control. When both tools work together, you get a complete system that is fast, stable, and simple to manage. It also functions as a reliable web hosting control panel for users who want speed and clarity.
Final Thoughts!
You should go with TrueNAS SCALE if a smooth Docker and Docker Compose are needed on your platform. Its Linux foundation, app store, and storage support make it a solid container platform. TrueNAS CORE is quite powerful for pure storage, but not built to work with Docker. Select SCALE if you need the full container experience and friction-free execution of your apps.
Install TrueNAS SCALE, deploy your storage pool, run your first Docker Compose file, and start testing your apps today! It only takes a few minutes to get started.
People Also Ask
Does TrueNAS SCALE support GPU passthrough for containers?
Yes, if your hardware supports it.
Do I need Kubernetes knowledge to use SCALE?
No. The app system hides Kubernetes complexity.
Can I run virtual machines and containers together on SCALE?
Yes, both features are supported.
