Is it possible to import a container directly as a file system?

LXD
2

:thinking:
First of all, why can’t the developer just send you another copy?
Then:
I did not test these methods myself, but you could try multiple things:

  1. lxd-p2c: This is a tool to convert regular systems to containers (p2c=physical to container); sadly there is no recent documentation for it, but just search for p2c and you might find something.
  2. It might be easier to set up a new image/container:
    • try to find out what software was installed, you can then install all of that via cloud-init or distrobuilder (assuming that it is avialable in software repos)
    • copy /etc and other config folders
    • copy /home
    • copy special folders that you think are important
  3. Try to implement the rootfs as an image:
    https://linuxcontainers.org/lxd/advanced-guide/#import-container-image
    You should take a look at some original image files (for example: ubuntu bionic amd64) and try to replicate that.
    You need 2 things:
    • rootfs (e.g. rootfs.tar.xz or rootfs.squashfs): You might be able to use the rootfs you have for that.
    • lxd.tar.xz: This is somethings you might need to create by yourself, just look at the original to find out what it contains.

Otherwise wait for a better answer :wink:.