docker machine vs docker for mac

Question

I have installed docker for mac on my machine. I have pulled a repo from the docker hub, the docker run command includes the docker-machine ip parameter for which I get an error, Error: No machine name(s) specified and no "default" machine exist. Could someone elaborate the difference between docker machine and docker for mac.

Answer 1

If you have Docker for Mac running on your machine, you don't need Docker Machine. Using Docker Machine (usually through Docker Toolbox ) to run locally only if you have an older Mac version that isn't supported, which isn't the case here, or a Windows machine without Windows 10 pro.

The only other case you need Docker Machine is for controlling remote machines or setting up multiple nodes locally.

Answer 2

In my Opinion:

Docker for Mac:

1. Reliably binds containers to 127.1, unlike Vms on Virtualbox
2. Portainer works much more reliably with this
3. Has Kubertenes support

Docker Machine (aka Docker Toolbox w/VirtualBox):

1. Really meant to be used on older version of MacOs, on older hardware
2. Requires installing BOTH Virtubox + Docker
3. Vms bind to 192.168.99.100 IP, not necessarily to 127.1
4. If you shutdown Kitematic, in some cases is also shuts down your docker-machine without asking you. Sooo annoying.

Answer 3

You need to create the machine first of all. Try running the following command from your terminal of choice:

docker-machine create testmachine