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Version: TOS 7

Container Manager

Container Manager is a full graphical container management tool based on Docker Engine, supporting the entire workflow from image search and download to container creation and configuration, along with docker-compose multi-container orchestration capabilities. With a browser, you can complete the deployment of various applications such as multimedia services, offline downloads, and private cloud drives—all in one place, making container management accessible at your fingertips.

danger
  1. To use the Container Manager application, please install Docker Engine first.
  2. The application was formerly known as Docker Manager. It has been renamed to Container Manager since v2.2.025.

Overview​

On the Overview page, you can quickly grasp the real-time status of projects and containers to ensure stable service operation. At the same time, this page intuitively displays the resource usage of running projects and containers, giving you a clear picture at a glance.

The Overview page includes the following core information:

  • Docker Engine Status: Displays whether Docker Engine is installed and enabled; if not installed or not enabled, the page will prompt "Docker Engine is not installed or not enabled";
  • CPU Usage: Displays the total CPU usage and percentage for Docker;
  • RAM Usage: Displays the total Docker memory usage and occupancy rate;
  • Resource Statistics Charts: Graphically displays CPU and memory usage trends;
  • Container Running Overview: Displays statistics on running/stopped container counts; gives a prominent alert when containers are running abnormally;
  • Image Statistics: Displays the total number of local images.

Projects​

With projects, you can easily define a multi-container application using a single configuration file (Docker-compose.yml), and use a single command to create and start all services from the YML file configuration.

Manage Projects​

On the Projects page, you can perform the following operations on projects:

  • Add: Add a new project;
  • Start/Stop: Start/stop selected projects;
  • Restart: Restart selected projects;
  • Edit: Edit selected projects; the project will be forcibly stopped during editing;
  • Delete: Delete selected projects;
  • Force Stop: Force stop selected projects;
  • Clear: Stop and delete all service containers, networks, images, and data volumes;
  • Build: Rebuild projects through the YAML file configured in the project.

Create Project​

To create a project in the project feature:

  1. In the Container Manager application interface, click "Projects" in the left navigation bar;
  2. Click the "Add" icon in the upper right corner, or the "Add Now" button on the page, to open the Create Project dialog;
  3. Set the project name, project path, and configure the configuration file (docker-compose.yml) in sequence
    There are three ways to configure the configuration file:
    • Local TNAS — Select a TNAS local file for configuration.
    • Your Computer — Upload a configuration file from your computer for configuration.
    • Create YAML File — Open the editor to create a docker-compose.yml.
  4. Validate YAML.
  5. After validation passes, click the Apply button.
Note
  • Validating YAML will check the content and format of the docker-compose.yml in the editor. If the content is empty or the format is incorrect, the "Apply" button cannot be clicked. Please modify your docker-compose.yml file based on the prompts.
  • If the Compose configuration file is deleted, the page will display a prompt.

How to quickly view the reason for project creation failure?​

When project creation fails, you can click on the "Creation Failed" project status to view the error log.

Containers​

A container is a running instance of a Docker image, the dynamic representation of an image, which can be started, paused, stopped, and deleted. Creating a container requires an image. If you do not have any images, you can go to the Registry page to download images uploaded by open-source developers.

Manage Containers​

On the Containers page, you can perform the following operations on containers:

  • Add: Select an image to create a container;
  • Start/Stop: Start/stop containers;
  • Restart: Restart running containers;
  • Edit: Edit container configuration;
  • Delete: Delete selected containers;
  • Force Stop: Force stop running containers;
  • Duplicate Container: Reconfigure a new container by copying the container's configuration (only copies configuration, not images or data; ports are automatically remapped);
  • Export: Export selected containers as .tar files; supports two modes: "Export Container" and "Export Container Settings Only";
  • Import: Select an importable file and configure a container based on the file;
  • Processes: The running status of commands executed inside the container;
  • Logs: Logs generated by container operation;
  • Terminal: The container's terminal interface (bash).
  • Send to Desktop: Create a container shortcut on the TOS desktop; supports uploading custom icons (.jpg/.png, size ≤ 8MB).
  • Access URL: View the container's access URL.

Create Container​

To create a container in the Container Manager application:

  1. In the Container Manager application interface, click "Images" in the left navigation bar;
  2. Click the "Start" icon in the upper right corner to open the Create Container dialog;

Step 1: Basic Information

  • Image Selection: Select from local images;
  • Registry Address: Optionally set a custom registry address (including username/password authentication);
  • Container Name: Supports lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens - and underscores _; cannot start with - or _.

Step 2: Data Volumes (Volumes)

  • Set the container data storage path (host directory → container directory) to back up data from the container to the host;
  • Read/Write Permissions: Default is read-write, can be switched to read-only (container can only read);
  • Tip: "Data will not be deleted even if the container is deleted."

Step 3: Network & Ports

  • Network Mode: host mode (uses host IP and port) or bridge mode (virtual bridge, independent IP segment such as 172.17.x.x);
  • Add Port: Configure local port + container port + protocol; supports add/edit/delete; an error is prompted when a port is already occupied.

Step 4: Variables & Commands

  • Environment Variables: Set environment variables for the container (variable name + variable value); supports add/edit/delete.
  • Execution Commands: Set startup commands (CMD) and Entrypoint for the container.
  • Capabilities (Docker Capabilities):
    • System Default: The container will automatically obtain the system default Capabilities at startup.
    • High Privilege Execution: When enabled, the container runs with ROOT privileges (privileged container);
    • Custom Capabilities: Add/remove Linux Capabilities.

Step 5: Confirm Settings

Note
  1. If you have ensured the settings are correct but still cannot successfully create a container using images from Docker Hub, try using a different image, as Docker Hub contains custom images uploaded by different developers, and image quality cannot always be guaranteed.
  2. When configuring container ports, please select port numbers different from those used by other services to avoid port conflicts that may cause service errors.
  3. The default timezone for most containers is UTC. You can set the environment variable "TZ" to change the container's timezone. Please visit here to view the timezone list in the timezone database.
  4. If you need to execute multiple commands, please separate them with commas.

Images​

A Docker image is a special file system that, in addition to providing the programs, libraries, resources, configurations and other files required for container runtime, also contains some configuration parameters prepared for runtime. It is the foundation for creating and running Docker containers.

Local Images​

Lists images that have been downloaded locally to TNAS. You can manage all downloaded images through the image feature and use images to create containers.

Manage Local Images​

On the Local Images page, you can perform the following operations on local images:

  • Start: Start the selected image and configure the corresponding container;
  • Import: Import images stored locally on your computer or on the NAS;
  • Export: Export selected images to a NAS folder;
  • Delete: Delete selected images.

Registry​

Load image lists from image registries. Docker Hub's official image registry is used by default, with support for custom addresses.

Image Registry​

  • Add Registry: Add a new image registry source, supporting configuration of registry address, username, and password for authentication;
  • Edit Registry: Modify existing image registry information;
  • Delete Registry: Remove custom image registries (the system default Docker Hub cannot be deleted);
  • Set Accelerator: Configure a Docker image registry cache proxy to resolve slow or failed image pulls caused by network issues;
  • Enable/Disable Registry: Toggle the registry loading address.

Network​

The Network module is used to manage Docker container networks, supporting custom network creation and configuration.

Manage Networks​

On the Network page, you can perform the following operations on networks:

  • Add Network: Create a new custom Docker network;
  • Delete: Delete the selected custom network;
  • Settings/Details: View network details and manage containers connected to the selected network.

Create Network​

The following items can be configured when creating a network:

Configuration ItemDescription
Network NameSupports letters, numbers, connectors - _
DriverDefault bridge (supports custom drivers)
IP Configuration ModeAutomatic (DHCP) / Manual configuration
IPv4 SubnetCIDR format, e.g. 172.20.0.0/16
IPv4 Gatewaye.g. 172.20.0.1
IPv4 IP RangeCIDR format, e.g. 172.20.10.128/25
IPv6 SubnetCIDR format, e.g. fd80:ac8::/48
IPv6 Gatewaye.g. fd80:ac8::1
IPv6 RangeCIDR format, e.g. fd80:ac8::/64
Disable IP MasqueradingDisable IP Masquerading
Assign ContainersImmediately add existing containers to this network

Logs​

Lists all operation records executed in the Container Manager application, supporting log export and management.

Manage Logs​

On the Logs page, you can view logs for all tasks, or select specific tasks to view their logs. You can also configure the following settings for logs:

  1. Search: Search for events;
  2. Refresh: Refresh logs;
  3. Export: Export logs;
  4. Delete: Delete logs; you can delete all logs or delete specific logs;
  5. Settings: Set log retention policies; logs that do not comply with the policies will be automatically deleted.