PROTECTION
CodeMeter & Docker
There are many benefits to running applica-
tions in a container. In essence, containers are
small virtual machines (VMs) without their
own operating system. They share the host
system’s OS kernel and important system files,
making them much leaner than full-blown
VMs providing the same services. This makes
4
Application
Libraries
Docker
Host Operating System
Infrastructure
How does CodeMeter behave in this environ-
ment, and what do software developers and
license vendors have to remember? How can
Application
Libraries
Containers do not have to load the operating
system, resources, or libraries on startup.
Instead they can directly access the compo-
nents and data of the operating environment.
With no operating systems having to be
installed, additional containers can also be
added much faster. When the process is
automated, the setup scales perfectly – one
reason why containers are becoming more
and more popular.
Despite all of this good news, one must not
ignore the drawbacks. Compared to tradition-
al virtualization technologies, the individual
containers are not as well-isolated from each
other or their host. The processes running in
the containers also share the same system
libraries and the same kernel, which can
cause compatibility issues. Vulnerabilities or
software bugs can pose real problems when
using containers and might affect the system
in its entirety.
The idea of operating software in containers
is not new. The basic functionality has long
been part of the Linux operating system, and
the Docker project has put a user-friendly
container solution into the hands of the
masses. Docker has reached critical mass and
established itself as the leading provider of
container technology. Since Microsoft decided
to integrate Docker’s containers into Windows
Server 2016 and Windows 10, the world has
come to recognize Docker as the de-facto
standard in its field.
them cheaper to run, as the setup uses fewer
resources and fewer systems need to be main-
tained (with updates, security patches, etc.).
Container systems like Docker are becoming
an increasingly popular choice for running ap-
plications in isolation. Containers are simple
to use and easy to duplicate. Software devel-
opers have a legitimate interest in protecting
and securely licensing their applications even
in such container environments. This article
reveals how the ability to use, copy, and
multiply containers can be reconciled with the
wish to license software correctly, and how
Docker can cooperate with CodeMeter.