# Do I really need a Docker based Discourse install?
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [2월 4, 2015, 7:03오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811 "2015-02-04T19:03:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 13
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@FezodgeIII](https://meta.discourse.org/u/FezodgeIII)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 7:03오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/1 "2015-02-04T19:03:03Z")
Hi, I was just wondering what the 'docker ’ part (The bit apparently discourse can’t run without) actualy do. Is it just the `/admin/upgrade` part that lets you upfate discourse without any hassle, or is there more to it?
I want to know, as i want to host discourse on a server that does not support docker, and was wondering if i could live without it. Thanks
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### Author:  [@purldator](https://meta.discourse.org/u/purldator)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 7:21오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/2 "2015-02-04T19:21:27Z")
Docker is the only installation type that is supported by the Discourse team.
I am not on that team, but by reading all related posts on Meta, it is safe to say that a non-docker install is **not** recommended and they will not offer support for any non-docker installs.
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### Author:  [@codinghorror](https://meta.discourse.org/u/codinghorror)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 7:25오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/3 "2015-02-04T19:25:17Z")
You can’t get support here for anything except a Docker based install.
Docker is a container system, it lets you place apps on a server in an easy, standard packaging format along with all their dependencies, sort of like this:
More at
> **[What is a Container? | Docker](https://www.docker.com/resources/what-container/)**
>
> A container is a standard unit of software that packages up code and all its dependencies so the application runs quickly and reliably from one computing environment to another. A Docker container image is a lightweight, standalone, executable...
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### Author:  [@FezodgeIII](https://meta.discourse.org/u/FezodgeIII)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 7:32오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/4 "2015-02-04T19:32:58Z")
So, it would be possible to install discourse without docker, but not reccomened. Is there any particular reason for this, apart from the fact that you dont provide any support?
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### Author:  [@cpradio](https://meta.discourse.org/u/cpradio)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 7:34오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/5 "2015-02-04T19:34:51Z")
> [@FezodgeIII](#):
>
> Is there any particular reason for this, apart from the fact that you dont provide any support?
Makes the install far more complex,
forces you to work out all dependencies,
forces you to setup nginx and anything else appropriately,
force you to ensure postgresql is setup properly,
etc.
There are many reasons. Can you manually install docker on the server you are looking at getting?
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### Author:  [@codinghorror](https://meta.discourse.org/u/codinghorror)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 7:35오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/6 "2015-02-04T19:35:56Z")
It is a way more complicated install and you will probably screw it up. When you do, your Discourse will be broken and we will refuse to help you because we told you to go the easier, standard Docker route that we _can_ support.
Honest enough for you? 😉
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### Author:  [@FezodgeIII](https://meta.discourse.org/u/FezodgeIII)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 7:38오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/7 "2015-02-04T19:38:03Z")
Yes! Thanks a lot!
@cpradio i’m looking at a GBP server host, as this will save me money, but unfortunately dosn’t support docker. Could i still install it on that?
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### Author:  [@cpradio](https://meta.discourse.org/u/cpradio)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 7:39오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/8 "2015-02-04T19:39:02Z")
> [@FezodgeIII](#):
>
> Could i still install it on that?
Is it a VPS that you get to manage? If so, yes, you can. If not, then probably not ☹
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### Author:  [@riking](https://meta.discourse.org/u/riking)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 7:59오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/9 "2015-02-04T19:59:12Z")
> [@FezodgeIII](#):
>
> Could i still install it on that?
The core feature you’re looking for is to “replace the kernel with one supporting Docker and AUFS”. That’s what you should go to the support with.
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### Author:  [@JSey](https://meta.discourse.org/u/JSey)
#### Post date: [2월 4, 2015, 8:16오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/10 "2015-02-04T20:16:54Z")
> [@FezodgeIII](#):
>
> dosn’t support docker
Why this restriction? Is that a root server? Which OS?
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### Author:  [@system](https://meta.discourse.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [9월 6, 2018, 1:09오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/11 "2018-09-06T01:09:41Z")
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### Author:  [@sam](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sam)
#### Post date: [9월 6, 2018, 1:45오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/12 "2018-09-06T01:45:57Z")
I think it is worth answering the OP here.
4 years later, still **yes** , you need an official Docker based install if you want any free support from the Discourse team on [meta.discourse.org](http://meta.discourse.org).
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### Author:  [@sam](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sam)
#### Post date: [9월 6, 2018, 1:46오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/do-i-really-need-a-docker-based-discourse-install/24811/13 "2018-09-06T01:46:03Z")