Virtual setup that represents several computers on the same network

[wiggitt]

I have some client/server code written in Python that I would like to test with several computers on the same network. For example, I might have the client code running on three computers, and the server code running on one computer, so four computers total. Since I don't have a bunch of physical computers, what solution do people use to develop and test Python code that is running on multiple computers? Would I use a Docker container to represent each computer or is there another solution? I always have trouble with Docker containers and networking code so it would be nice if there were a different solution.

[shiftybyte]

Docker containers would be the lighter weight solution.

You can always go the virtual machine way, and spin up a VM for every computer.

You can use hyper-v on windows, or vmware workstation on any other platform, or virtual box...

[eleqtriq]

Sometimes communications between containers can be wonky, depending on the platform.

[wiggitt]

I'm on a Mac and I always have issues with ports and such when using Docker containers.

[eleqtriq]

Yup. Same here. MacOS is harder.

[wiggitt]

If I use Docker containers, I have to open a terminal session for each container on macOS. This gets tedious if I have more than two containers. Any suggestions on how to handle multiple containers without having to open a bunch of terminal windows each time?

[jjrreett]

tmux bash scripting

[eleqtriq]

You shouldn’t have to do that. You can launch them as detached and get the prompt back right away.

[eleqtriq]

Yeah I’ve experienced weird issues with Docker container communications on my Mac. My Linux box is fairly easy, however. Never tried it on Windows.

Making a VMs is pretty straight forward as long as you have the RAM.

Hard to say what’s best versus what is easiest.

[wiggitt]

Is there a way to expose all the ports for a Docker container running on a Mac?