Overview

Framework projects can be deployed to run on Docker containers.

This Document assumes familiarity with Docker.

This page was created using Windows as host container (Docker Desktop WSL 2 backend), but equivalent steps can be used for any Linux with Mono Framework as host container.

System Requirements

To make use of this feature, the following system requirements need to be matched.

• Install Docker.
• Windows 10 64-bit: Pro, Enterprise, or Education (Build 17134 or later). For Windows 10 Home, see Install Docker Desktop on Windows Home.
• Hyper-V and Containers Windows features must be enabled.
• The following hardware prerequisites are required to successfully run Client Hyper-V on Windows 10:
  • 64-bit processor with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT).
  • 4GB system RAM.
  • BIOS-level hardware virtualization support must be enabled in the BIOS. For more information, see Virtualization.

Configuration Procedure

Copying Folders and Runtime Files

After installing Docker and fs-9.1.12, copy the files and subfolders from ”.. fs-9.1” to the Docker’s temporary folder, as in the image.

In the image, the Bin is the temporary folder.

Not all files and subfolders are required, only the ones used in Runtime. The subfolders for DBProviders, Extensions, IoT and Templates are not used in Runtime and do not need to be copied.

The HTML5 subfolder is only necessary if Web Clients will access pages from runtime. DevExpress and Sync- Fusion files are only necessary if Smart Clients will access displays from runtime.

Also, only the protocol drivers used by the project need to be copied (Ex: MODBUS.xml and T.ProtocolDriver.MODBUS.dll). The size of the image depends on which files will be used by the project.

The Project file (.tproj) and all other necessary files (e.g.: vc redist, etc) should also be copied to the temporary folder.

Copying License and Argument Files

Create a RemoteLicenseService.config file and copy it to the temporary folder. The syntax is:

RemoteServer=<IpAddress>:<PortNumber>
// IP:Port where the licensing server is Running RemoteServer=192.168.1.1:3100

Create an Arguments.config file and copy it to the temporary folder. The syntax is:

/project:C:\App\<DockerTest>.tproj // Project file name (mandatory)
/docker // (mandatory)

Creating Docker File

Create a Dockerfile file based on existent image containing .NET Framework v4.6.2 or higher, (necessary by FramworX). Example:

FROM mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/framework/runtime 
WORKDIR /app
COPY bin .
RUN C:\app\vc_redist.x64.exe /quiet /install 
RUN C:\app\vc_redist.x86.exe /quiet /install
ENTRYPOINT ["TServer.exe", "/args:Arguments.config"]

Notes on this procedure:

• Image from “microsoft.com/dotnet/framework/runtime” is used as initial image.
• In this example, all files from the temporary folder (Bin) will be copied to the “App“ folder (on image).
• 3 VC redist files will be installed via the RUN command.
• TServer will be executed using the parameters defined in the Arguments.config file.

To build the image, execute the following via the CMD command:

docker build -t fs . // dot (.) IS IMPORTANT!!!

 To run the image, execute the following via the CMD command:

docker run --memory=4096m --cpus=4 fs
// Min Recommended 4 GB Mem and 4 CPU cores

//or specifying the port:
docker run -p 3101:3101 fs

Useful Links About Docker

Deploying a .NET Application with Docker.

How to Dockerize Windows Applications: The 5 Steps.

Windows container build fails to install vcredist.

Use volumes.

How to Set Up Postgres using Docker

Attach to a process running on a Docker container.

In this section...