Protection of the direct-drive thermonuclear targets in the reaction chamber by containers of several kinds is considered. Thermoinsulation of the cryogenic thermonuclear fuel by a target ablator consisting of two layers separated by vacuum, low-density gas, or low-density foam is also considered. It is shown that the cones that provide a beam channel for heating the compressed fuel in some of the fast ignition, direct compression scenarios can also serve as effective wake shields protecting the fuel capsules.