Overview

The cluster provides multiple {ref}Virtual Application Environmens <application-environment> (VAEs) using {ref}linux-containers. In general the cluster can execute any number of containers, including containers build by users. The system has no technical barrier to prevent users from starting custom containers for their applications.

User build containers will be treated as black-boxes by the cluster, hence any container internals are under the responsibility of the user. Given the complexity involved in building application runtime environments, it is not possible for to support all possible variants of containers.

From the user perspective a containerized application environment offers the freedom to select any Linux distribution of your flavor to build the container image. Furthermore the user can install any package or software required. Containers provide a high level of customization down to a very specific collection of compliers, libraries and other tools in any desired version. But this freedom of choice comes with the requirement to the user to support a containerized application environment self-reliant.