title: How can I run multiple docker nodes on my laptop to simulate a cluster?
body: <p>My goal is to simulate a cluster environment where I can test my applications and tools.</p>
  
  <p>I need to have minimum of 3 <strong>Docker nodes</strong> (not container) running, and have access to them over ssh.</p>
  
  <p>I have tried the following:</p>
  
  <p>1 - Installing multiple <strong>VMs Machines</strong> from <a href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/MinimalCD" rel="noreferrer">Ubuntu MinimalCD</a></p>
  
  <p>Result: ended up with huge files to maintain, repeating the process is really harmful, and unpleasant.</p>
  
  <p>2- Downloading <strong>Vagrant box</strong> that has docker inside (there are some <a href="http://www.vagrantbox.es/" rel="noreferrer">here</a>).</p>
  
  <p>Result: I can't access them over ssh, and can't really fire up more than one box (Ok, I can but it is still not optimal).</p>
  
  <p>3- Tried to run "<strong>Kitematic</strong>" multiple times, but had no success with it.</p>
  
  <p>What do you do to test your clustering tools for docker?
  My only "easy" solution is to run multiple instances from some provider and pay per hour usage, but that is really not that easy when I am offline, and when I just don't want to pay.</p>
  
  <p>I don't need to run multiple "<strong>containers</strong>", but multiple "<strong>hosts</strong>", which I can then join together into a single Cluster to simulate distributed Data Center.</p>