The Docker container software doesn’t actually exist in physical form, even though media hacks are all too quick to liken it to shipping containers as a way of illustrating how apps can be packaged and shipped anywhere. But soon we could all have a physical, miniaturized container server sitting on desks, if a new Kickstarter campaign reaches its goal.

Dick Hardt, founder of a new startup called Hardtware, is touting the DC2 Desktop Container computer, and has already reached $21,857 of his $30,000 goal. The DC2 Desktop Container computer provides a real-life container server that’s preconfigured with Docker in a shipping container that’s scaled to a thirtieth of the original size. It measures 3 ¼ inches across, 3 ½ inches tall, and 8 inches long, weighing in at 2.55 lbs. DC2s come in a variety of colors too, and companies can even add their own logo if they desire.

Specs-wise, the fanless hardware packs a dual-core 1.33 GHz MinnowBoard Max Processor, comes with a 60GB Solid-State Drive with 400 MB/s transfer speed, and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. Thanks to its open hardware design, the DC2 can be expanded or repurposed with a variety of expansion boards.

Sounds good, but why on earth would anybody need an actual physical Docker container sitting on their desk? Well, Hardt argues on his Kickstarter page that it’s actually beneficial and more than just a novelty, because a separate Docker container computer uses less resources than a Docker VM. He also claims it’s easier to setup, and easier to keep track of configurations such as port mapping.

People can also use DC2 as a local testing environment. The container runs Docker on 64-but Linux OS, which means containers running on it can also run on Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft Azure, Rackspace or any other 64-bit Docker host.

For those wanting to get their hands on a real-life Docker container, they’ll need to pledge a minimum of $399 for the full DC2, or $1,595 for a set of four DC2s complete with shared power supply and a five port Gigabit switch. Alternatively, if you already own a MinnowBoard Max, you can buy an empty DC2 container for just $99.

Hardt says that price actually gives us another reason to want to own a physical Docker container. The DC2 is actually cheaper than setting up a Docker container on Amazon, because it’s comparable to two m1.small from Amazon, which cost $412 per year.

Hardt has also set up a GitHub community page for the DC2 project, where people can post feedback, make suggestions or pull requests.

Image credit: Hardtware via KickStarter.com