Packaging applications in Docker containers
Neatly Bundled
© Photo by Customerbox on Unsplash
Kaboxer lets users deploy applications that may be difficult to package using Docker containers.
The way distributions deliver software is changing. New package formats such as Flatpak and Snap are becoming more widespread, and containers are becoming increasingly important even for casual desktop users. There are many reasons for this. Developers want to see their software quickly reach users without having to create packages in different formats. Some approaches also allow multiple software versions to be installed simultaneously. Sandboxing as a security feature also plays a role.
In addition, not all software can be easily packaged and kept up-to-date using traditional package formats. This is especially true for distributions such as Kali Linux which ship hundreds of highly specialized applications. Many of these specialized applications are unavailable in the Debian repository. Others are difficult to package because they rely on outdated libraries that hardly any distributions come with anymore. Another reason would be to isolate apps so that they do not interfere with other programs.
Kaboxer [1], a Docker and DEB package-based application developed for Kali Linux, transparently deploys difficult-to-package applications in Docker containers within the Debian packaging system.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
AerynOS Alpha Release Available
With a choice of several desktop environments, AerynOS 2025.08 is almost ready to be your next operating system.
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for more than two weeks.
-
RingReaper Malware Poses Danger to Linux Systems
A new kind of malware exploits modern Linux kernels for I/O operations.
-
Happy Birthday, Linux
On August 25, Linux officially turns 34.
-
VirtualBox 7.2 Has Arrived
With early support for Linux kernel 6.17 and other new additions, VirtualBox 7.2 is a must-update for users.
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.
-
Debian 13.0 Officially Released
After two years of development, the latest iteration of Debian is now available with plenty of under-the-hood improvements.
-
Upcoming Changes for MXLinux
MXLinux 25 has plenty in store to please all types of users.
-
A New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle, a Linux AI assistant, works with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.