Docker CPU/Memory Limits under Windows Server 2019 + linux containers (LCOW)

Windows Server 2016
#1

Expected behavior

Use more than just 1 Gb of memory and more than just 1 cpu.

Actual behavior

Docker Containers are limited to 1Gb and 1cpu/2cores.

Information

System is “up to date” Windows Server 2019.
Docker was installed using Powershell:
[…]
Install-Package Docker -ProviderName DockerProvider -RequiredVersion preview

and then configured to use linux containers:
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable(“LCOW_SUPPORTED”, “1”, “Machine”)

All tips and tricks about setting the cpu and memory limits weren’t useful:

  • Docker Desktop Configuration GUI is not available.
  • Docker commandline (-m 8G, -cpus=“4”) didn’t change anything

What is the right way to configure LCOW cpu and memory, or what is the right alternative to run linux containers on Windows Server 2019?

Thx for your time and help,

Stefan

#2

Linux container on Windows (LCOW) is not supported for production environments. While you can use it for development, some configurations (such as this one) won’t work and you won’t get a fix from Microsoft as the focus shifted to WSL. My recommendation is to try the new WSL on Windows Server preview feature to check if this better serves your needs. The only caveat is that WSL2 on Windows Server preview is for Windows Server 2022, not 2019.