Enabling Nested Virtualization on VMware ESXi and Azure VMs, and Docker Desktop on Nutanix VDI

> Check with your Citrix administrator or VDI infrastructure team to confirm which hypervisor is being used, and whether nested virtualization is enabled. ## Turn on nested virtualization You must turn on nested virtualization before you install Docker Desktop on a virtual machine that will not use Docker Cloud. ### Turn on nested virtualization on VMware ESXi Nested virtualization of other hypervisors like Hyper-V inside a vSphere VM [is not a supported scenario](https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2009916). However, running Hyper-V VM in a VMware ESXi VM is technically possible and, depending on the version, ESXi includes hardware-assisted virtualization as a supported feature. A VM that had 1 CPU with 4 cores and 12GB of memory was used for internal testing. For steps on how to expose hardware-assisted virtualization to the guest OS, [see VMware's documentation](https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc/GUID-2A98801C-68E8-47AF-99ED-00C63E4857F6.html). ### Turn on nested virtualization on an Azure Virtual Machine Nested virtualization is supported by Microsoft for running Hyper-V inside an Azure VM. For Azure virtual machines, [check that the VM size chosen supports nested virtualization](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/sizes). Microsoft provides [a helpful list on Azure VM sizes](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/acu) and highlights the sizes that currently support nested virtualization. D4s_v5 machines were used for internal testing. Use this specification or above for optimal performance of Docker Desktop. ## Docker Desktop support on Nutanix-powered VDI Docker Desktop can be used within Nutanix-powered VDI environments provided that the underlying Windows environment supports WSL 2 or Windows container mode. Since Nutanix officially supports WSL 2, Docker Desktop should function as expected, as long as WSL 2 operates correctly within the VDI environment. If using Windows container mode, confirm that the Nutanix environment supports Hyper-V or alternative Windows container backends. ### Supported configurations Docker Desktop follows the VDI support definitions outlined [previously](#virtual-desktop-support-when-using-nested-virtualization): - Persistent VDI environments (Supported): You receive the same virtual desktop instance across sessions, preserving installed software and configurations. - Non-persistent VDI environments (Not supported): Docker Desktop does not support environments where the OS resets between sessions, requiring re-installation or reconfiguration each time. ### Support scope and responsibilities For WSL 2-related issues, contact Nutanix support. For Docker Desktop-specific issues, contact Docker support. ## Aditional resources - [Docker Desktop on Microsoft Dev Box](/manuals/desktop/features/dev-box.md)

This section provides instructions for enabling nested virtualization on VMware ESXi and Azure VMs to support Docker Desktop. It highlights that Hyper-V inside a vSphere VM is not officially supported but technically possible. It also describes the process of enabling nested virtualization on Azure VMs and refers to Microsoft documentation for VM size compatibility. Additionally, it details Docker Desktop support on Nutanix-powered VDI environments, emphasizing the requirement for WSL 2 or Windows container mode support and the distinction between persistent and non-persistent VDI environments. It includes resource links for more information on Docker Desktop on Microsoft Dev Box.