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https://github.com/google/gvisor

Application Kernel for Containers
https://github.com/google/gvisor

containers docker kernel kubernetes linux oci sandbox

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Application Kernel for Containers

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README 

        
![gVisor](g3doc/logo.png)



[![Build status](https://badge.buildkite.com/3b159f20b9830461a71112566c4171c0bdfd2f980a8e4c0ae6.svg?branch=master)](https://buildkite.com/gvisor/pipeline)

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## What is gVisor?



**gVisor** provides a strong layer of isolation between running applications and

the host operating system. It is an application kernel that implements a

[Linux-like interface][linux]. Unlike Linux, it is written in a memory-safe

language (Go) and runs in userspace.



gVisor includes an [Open Container Initiative (OCI)][oci] runtime called `runsc`

that makes it easy to work with existing container tooling. The `runsc` runtime

integrates with Docker and Kubernetes, making it simple to run sandboxed

containers.



## What **isn't** gVisor?



*   gVisor is **not a syscall filter** (e.g. `seccomp-bpf`), nor a wrapper over

    Linux isolation primitives (e.g. `firejail`, AppArmor, etc.).

*   gVisor is also **not a VM** in the everyday sense of the term (e.g.

    VirtualBox, QEMU).



**gVisor takes a distinct third approach**, providing many security benefits of

VMs while maintaining the lower resource footprint, fast startup, and

flexibility of regular userspace applications.



## Why does gVisor exist?



Containers are not a [**sandbox**][sandbox]. While containers have

revolutionized how we develop, package, and deploy applications, using them to

run untrusted or potentially malicious code without additional isolation is not

a good idea. While using a single, shared kernel allows for efficiency and

performance gains, it also means that container escape is possible with a single

vulnerability.



gVisor is an application kernel for containers. It limits the host kernel

surface accessible to the application while still giving the application access

to all the features it expects. Unlike most kernels, gVisor does not assume or

require a fixed set of physical resources; instead, it leverages existing host

kernel functionality and runs as a normal process. In other words, gVisor

implements Linux by way of Linux.



gVisor should not be confused with technologies and tools to harden containers

against external threats, provide additional integrity checks, or limit the

scope of access for a service. One should always be careful about what data is

made available to a container.



## Documentation



User documentation and technical architecture, including quick start guides, can

be found at [gvisor.dev][gvisor-dev].



## Installing from source



gVisor builds on x86_64 and ARM64. Other architectures may become available in

the future.



For the purposes of these instructions, [bazel][bazel] and other build

dependencies are wrapped in a build container. It is possible to use

[bazel][bazel] directly, or type `make help` for standard targets.



### Requirements



Make sure the following dependencies are installed:



*   Linux 4.14.77+ ([older linux][old-linux])

*   [Docker version 17.09.0 or greater][docker]



### Building



Build and install the `runsc` binary:



```sh

mkdir -p bin

make copy TARGETS=runsc DESTINATION=bin/

sudo cp ./bin/runsc /usr/local/bin

```



To build specific libraries or binaries, you can specify the target:



```sh

make build TARGETS="//pkg/tcpip:tcpip"

```



### Testing



To run standard test suites, you can use:



```sh

make unit-tests

make tests

```



To run specific tests, you can specify the target:



```sh

make test TARGETS="//runsc:version_test"

```



### Using `go get`



This project uses [bazel][bazel] to build and manage dependencies. A synthetic

`go` branch is maintained that is compatible with standard `go` tooling for

convenience.



For example, to build and install `runsc` directly from this branch:



```sh

echo "module runsc" > go.mod

GO111MODULE=on go get gvisor.dev/gvisor/runsc@go

CGO_ENABLED=0 GO111MODULE=on sudo -E go build -o /usr/local/bin/runsc gvisor.dev/gvisor/runsc

```



Subsequently, you can build and install the shim binary for `containerd`:



```sh

GO111MODULE=on sudo -E go build -o /usr/local/bin/containerd-shim-runsc-v1 gvisor.dev/gvisor/shim

```



Note that this branch is supported in a best effort capacity, and direct

development on this branch is not supported. Development should occur on the

`master` branch, which is then reflected into the `go` branch.



## Community & Governance



See [GOVERNANCE.md](GOVERNANCE.md) for project governance information.



The [gvisor-users mailing list][gvisor-users-list] and

[gvisor-dev mailing list][gvisor-dev-list] are good starting points for

questions and discussion.



## Security Policy



See [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md).



## Contributing



See [Contributing.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).



[bazel]: https://bazel.build

[docker]: https://www.docker.com

[gvisor-users-list]: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/gvisor-users

[gvisor-dev]: https://gvisor.dev

[gvisor-dev-list]: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/gvisor-dev

[linux]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel_interfaces

[oci]: https://www.opencontainers.org

[old-linux]: https://gvisor.dev/docs/user_guide/networking/#gso

[sandbox]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_(computer_security)