---
title: "Containers/LXC: What applications can I run directly on the router—and what are the limitations?"
slug: "containers-lxc-what-applications-can-i-run-directly-on-the-router-and-what-are-t"
updated: 2026-05-28T14:00:51Z
published: 2026-05-28T14:00:51Z
canonical: "docs.insys-icom.com/containers-lxc-what-applications-can-i-run-directly-on-the-router-and-what-are-t"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.insys-icom.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Containers/LXC: What applications can I run directly on the router—and what are the limitations?

With **containers (LXC)**, the router becomes a local application platform. This is particularly useful for clearly defined applications such as **protocol gateways**, **data loggers**, **edge analytics**, or **customer-specific logic**. This allows data and protocols to be processed directly on the device without having to plan for additional IPC hardware in every case. This reduces integration effort and system complexity.

A major advantage lies in **field operability**: In conjunction with INSYS **icom Router Management** (iRM), applications can be **deployed** and u**pdated** in a targeted manner. Together with **icom OS**, this also creates a transparent concept for **access**, **operation**, and **IT security**.

The main limitations lie in the required **computing power**. The decisive factor here is either the **type of implementation**—for example, if an application is inefficiently programmed—or a fundamentally **very high performance requirement**, such as in AI-based image processing. In such cases, an IPC is often the more suitable solution. When it comes to the efficient implementation of container applications, INSYS icom is happy to provide you with targeted support.