Vulkan Docker Sample with Xserver Setup

This guide explains how to run Vulkan applications in a Docker container with display forwarding. It includes instructions for both Windows (with VcXsrv) and Linux systems.

Table of Contents

• Prerequisites
• Instructions
  • For Windows
  • For Linux
• Troubleshooting
• Results

Prerequisites

• Docker with GPU support enabled (If not, use the noGPU branch)
• For Windows: VcXsrv and install WSL (wsl --install).
• For Linux: No additional X11 server is needed as X11 forwarding is native to Linux.

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Instructions

For Windows

1. Launch Xserver (VcXsrv, xlaunch.exe)

• Configuration Options:
  • Select One large window.
  • Set Display to 0.
  • Choose Start no client.
  • Uncheck Native OpenGL (since Vulkan is used, not OpenGL).
  • Check Disable access control.

2. Build and Run Vulkan Docker Sample

Build the Docker Image

Run the following command to build the Docker image:

docker build -t vulkan-docker-test .

Run the Docker Container (Launch Ubuntu WSL)

Use the following command to run the container, allowing it to display via VcXsrv:

xhost +local:docker && docker run --rm -e DISPLAY=:0 -v /tmp/.X11-unix:/tmp/.X11-unix --gpus all vulkan-docker-test

Note: Ensure VcXsrv is running before executing the Docker container command.

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For Linux

1. Set Up X11 Display Permissions

Grant Docker access to your X11 display by running:

xhost +local:docker

2. Build and Run Vulkan Docker Sample

Build the Docker Image

Use the following command to build the Docker image:

docker build -t vulkan-docker-test .

Run the Docker Container

Use the following command to run the container, allowing it to display via VcXsrv:

docker run --rm -e DISPLAY=$DISPLAY -v /tmp/.X11-unix:/tmp/.X11-unix --gpus all vulkan-docker-test

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Troubleshooting

• On Linux, if there are display issues, ensure that xhost +local:docker has been executed to allow display access.
• On Windows, verify VcXsrv is running and that the settings are correct.
• Ensure Docker has GPU support enabled.

Results!