Connect to Azurite Podman Containers

[Valkozaur]

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have installed the latest version of Storage Explorer.
• [x] I have checked existing resources, including the troubleshooting guide and the release notes.
• [x] I have searched for similar issues.

Problem

Following the recent implementation of Docker container detection for Azurite (#8073), I would like to request similar functionality for Podman containers. As more users and organizations shift to Podman as a Docker alternative for security and daemonless operation, having Storage Explorer support both container technologies would be beneficial.

Describe the solution you'd like

I would like Storage Explorer to detect running Azurite Podman containers in the same way it now detects Docker containers. The explorer should look for running Azurite containers managed by Podman and their mapped ports, then either automatically connect to them or prompt the user to add them.

Current workarounds include:

• Manually creating and recreating connections each time (tedious)
• Using Docker instead of Podman (not ideal for organizations that have standardized on Podman)
• Running Podman with aliased Docker commands (potentially confusing and not addressing the underlying issue)

This would require:

1. Detecting if Podman is installed on the system
2. Using Podman CLI commands (similar to how Docker CLI is used in #8073) to list and inspect containers
3. Identifying Azurite instances and their port mappings
4. Offering connection to these instances

Additional context

Podman's CLI is largely compatible with Docker's, which should simplify implementation. Commands like podman ps and podman container inspect function similarly to their Docker equivalents. This feature would be particularly valuable for organizations using Red Hat/Fedora-based systems where Podman is the default container technology.

[craxal]

We will start some investigations to see what needs to be done to enable this feature.

[Valkozaur]

Thank you very much. @craxal.

[Valkozaur]

Any chance this can be picked up soon?

[craxal]

@Valkozaur We have scheduled time during our 1.40.0 milestone to look into this feature.

Incidentally, #8610 sounds related. The users there mapped docker to podman. Have you done something similar, or do you use podman directly? Mapping the command may serve as a workaround while we investigate.