Docker Versus Virtual Machines

Virtualization is the process of converting physical systems to a virtual environment.

Virtualization allows the creation of multiple small servers from a single physical server by sharing resources.

Why Virtualization? Benefits of Virtualization

How to Virtualize?

The hypervisor is a server virtualization software that allows different operating systems to run concurrently on virtual servers created within one physical server.

 The virtualization layer is the software that hosts and manages all virtual machines. A hypervisor running on the hardware serves as the virtualization layer.

Type of Virtualization

Disadvantages of Virtualization

Additional Cost – Possibly need to purchase virtualization software and additional hardware.

Skilled People – Virtualization and virtual machine management experts required.

Licensing – Additional Licensing cost and renewal.

What is Docker?

• Secure, open, and lightweight platform.
• Runs on Linux or Windows Server natively.
• Simplify the process of developing, distributing, and running applications and software.
•  Runs on Windows, Linux or Mac machines through virtualization.
• Images and containers are used for this.
• Every application has its own set of dependencies, which comprise both software and hardware.
• Docker is a technique for putting dependencies into containers and isolating them for each application.
• Containers are more scalable and safer to use and deploy than traditional methods.
• It allows cloud portability in terms of technology by letting users execute the same programs across many virtual environments.

What is Container?

• Software and dependencies in a single standard package.
• Create a boundary and isolates the apps from each other.
• Use same OS kernel
• All major Linux distributions are supported.
• Windows Server 2016 supports containers.

Virtual Machines Versus Docker

What distinguishes Docker Containers from a Virtual Machine?

• Virtual machines have their own operating system, memory management, and virtual device drivers, among other things.
• Instead of using a hypervisor, the Docker engine is used to run the Docker containers.
• Containers are thus smaller than Virtual Machines, allowing for a faster start-up, less isolation, higher performance, and greater compatibility because to the shared kernel of the host.

Which is the better option?

Virtual machines and Docker are not necessarily interchangeable, thus comparing them is unfair. Despite the growing popularity of containers, in some circumstances, a virtual machine is a preferable option.

Sometimes it’s strongly recommended to use the virtual machines in the production environment if the organization lacks the necessary expertise and experience to maintain a Docker container. However, if the applications need to be evaluated, Docker is the way to go, since it offers a variety of OS platforms for full testing of software or applications.

Eventually, containers and Docker are complementing solutions for different purposes, not competitors to virtual machines. Virtual machines are intended for applications that change infrequently. On the other hand, the Docker platform is designed to be more adaptable, allowing containers to be updated rapidly and easily.

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