title: What is the impact of using multiple Base Images in Docker?
body: <p>I understand that docker containers are portable between docker hosts, but I am confused about the relationship with the Base Image and the host. </p>
  
  <p>From the <a href="http://docs.docker.io/en/latest/terms/image/#base-image-def" rel="noreferrer">documentation on Images</a>, it appears that you would have a much heavier footprint (akin to multiple VMs) on the host machine if you had a variety of base images running. Is this assumption correct?</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><strong>GOOD</strong>: Many containers sharing a single base image.</li>
  <li><strong>BAD</strong>: Many containers running separate/unique base images.</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>I'm sure a lot of this confusion comes from my lack of knowledge of LXC.</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/F837U.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>