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Container Service for Kubernetes:Use the ContainerOS operating system

Last Updated:Mar 26, 2026

ContainerOS is a lightweight Linux distribution that is streamlined, secure, and optimized for running container applications. It removes non-essential packages to reduce the attack surface and improve node performance.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that you have:

Limitations

For ContainerOS 3.5.0 and later, the following additional conditions apply:

  • Terway version: Terway must be v1.14.1 or later. To upgrade, see Manage components.

  • Incompatible component: The ack-advanced-audit component is not compatible with ContainerOS 3.5.0 and later.

  • NAS and CPFS persistent volumes: To use Apsara File Storage NAS or Cloud Parallel File Storage (CPFS) persistent volumes (PVs), install cnfs-nas-daemon first.

  • Data disk limit: A node pool can have only one data disk.

  • Custom data execution context: Both Pre-defined Custom Data and User Data in the node pool configuration run inside the bootstrap container, not directly on the host. You cannot write to host paths such as /etc/hosts, /etc/resolv.conf, or /usr.

Create a node pool with ContainerOS

  1. Log on to the ACK console. In the left navigation pane, click Clusters.

  2. On the Clusters page, find the target cluster and click its name. In the left navigation pane, choose Nodes > Node Pools.

  3. On the Node Pools page, click Create Node Pool in the upper-right corner.

  4. In the Create Node Pool dialog box, set Operating System to ContainerOS. Configure the remaining options as needed, then click Confirm. For details on all configuration options, see Create and manage node pools.

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