An embodiment includes mapping, responsive to receiving a request for a container image from a container host, the requested container image to a first computer memory on a registry server. The embodiment also includes exposing a window storing the mapped container image to the container host using a collective window-creation call with the container host. The embodiment also includes processing a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) data transfer request to select a lock type for the window during the RDMA data transfer. The embodiment also includes imposing the selected lock type on the window during the RDMA data transfer. The embodiment also includes releasing the selected lock type from the window upon detecting completion of the RDMA data transfer.