Azure has done the same, using the open source Docker Registry 2.0 as the basis for its own container registry, compliant with Open Container Initiative.

Microsoft will expand it cloud container management portfolio when it introduces a preview release of its private container image repository on Nov. 16.

In a related announcement, Microsoft is previewing a new Azure Container Registry Geo Replication service, which lets users use a single registry by just clicking on an Azure map.

Solidifying its software container stance, Microsoft has announced the "very first service of its kind in the cloud" called Azure Container Instances. A preview for Linux containers is now available.

Recently appointed Azure CTO Mark Russinovich spells out Microsoft's espousal of the container cause on its cloud computing platform and his reservations about Docker security.

Microsoft’s acquisition of cloud technology company Deis, announced this week, illustrates the growing importance of containers for deploying software across a variety of platforms and devices ...