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Create a docker-machine in AppVeyor build? (Nested Hypervisor needed)

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Stefan Scherer

30 Nov, 2015 03:55 PM

I've tried to run some Docker tests within an AppVeyor CI build, but it currently doesn't work as the AppVeyor build node does not have nested hypervisor enabled to run a 64bit VM within a build.

Is it possible to enable nested virtualization/hypervisor in AppVeyor?

I've also seen that someone tried to run Vagrant in AppVeyor and solved to run 32bit VM's, but docker-machine only has 64bit VM to run docker in it.

* http://help.appveyor.com/discussions/problems/1247-vagrant-not-working-inside-appveyor
* https://github.com/StefanScherer/windows-docker-builder/blob/master/appveyor.yml

1. Support Staff 1 Posted by Feodor Fitsner on 30 Nov, 2015 04:01 PM

   

   How to enable nested hypervisor?

   - Feodor

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2. 2 Posted by Stefan Scherer on 30 Nov, 2015 05:00 PM

   

   Good question. I have heard that the AppVeyor nodes are running on Azure, right? I don't know exact how to enable in Azure, but it is something that must be enabled in the running VM before running an inner 64bit VM nested into it.

   I only know it from VMware products including vCloud, VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion to enable that feature before starting the outer VM. For VM products it is the switch vhv.enable = "TRUE" in the .vmx file.

   I assume that something similar should be possible in Azure to start the build node VM with 'Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT...'

   Oh, or is it something that Hyper-V will be able in the next release? https://virtualizationreview.com/blogs/everyday-virtualization/2015...

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3. Support Staff 3 Posted by Feodor Fitsner on 30 Nov, 2015 05:05 PM

   

   Exactly, it's going to be available in Windows Server 2016, but Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V (Pro environment) doesn't support that. OSS environment is currently run on Google Compute Engine, not Azure.

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4. 4 Posted by Stefan Scherer on 30 Nov, 2015 05:28 PM

   

   Ah, I see. But is it possible to have a build node on GCE with nested virtualization enabled?
   Or should I try this in a private repo?

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5. Support Staff 5 Posted by Feodor Fitsner on 30 Nov, 2015 05:34 PM

   

   GCE doesn't support that either.

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6. 6 Posted by Stefan Scherer on 01 Dec, 2015 07:09 AM

   

   OK, I see. Seems that Ravello does some other way to get it work. https://www.ravellosystems.com/blog/tag/nested-virtualization/

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7. 7 Posted by bazzilic on 13 Mar, 2017 09:08 AM

   

   Are there any updates regarding running docker containers during build/testing?

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8. Support Staff 8 Posted by Feodor Fitsner on 13 Mar, 2017 05:47 PM

   

   Absolutely! You can now build on Visual Studio 2017 image which is based on Windows Server 2016 and has Docker installed.

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9. 9 Posted by bazzilic on 14 Mar, 2017 01:15 AM

   

   Good to hear! This is not available for VS2015 image? We did not migrate yet.

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10. Support Staff 10 Posted by Feodor Fitsner on 14 Mar, 2017 04:16 AM

    

    Try Visual Studio 2017 image - it has VS 2015 and Docker installed.

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11. Ilya Finkelshteyn closed this discussion on 25 Aug, 2018 02:15 AM.