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Argo vs Docker Swarm: What are the differences?

Introduction

Argo and Docker Swarm are both container orchestration platforms that allow users to manage and deploy containers at scale. However, there are several key differences between the two platforms that can influence the choice of which one to use for specific use cases. In this Markdown code, I will present six specific differences between Argo and Docker Swarm.

  1. Architecture: Argo is built on top of Kubernetes, which provides a more robust and scalable architecture for container orchestration. On the other hand, Docker Swarm has a simpler architecture and is easier to set up and manage.

  2. Scaling: Docker Swarm allows for both vertical and horizontal scaling of containers. It automatically distributes containers across multiple hosts, allowing for improved load balancing and scalability. Argo, on the other hand, primarily focuses on horizontal scaling and provides advanced features like pod autoscaling based on CPU and memory usage.

  3. Rolling Updates: Docker Swarm supports rolling updates, which allows for zero-downtime deployments by gradually updating containers in a controlled manner. Argo, on the other hand, does not provide built-in rolling updates functionality. However, it can still achieve similar results by using Kubernetes deployments and rolling update strategies.

  4. Service Discovery: Docker Swarm includes a built-in DNS-based service discovery mechanism, which allows containers to discover and communicate with each other using service names. Argo relies on Kubernetes' service discovery mechanism, which provides similar functionality but requires additional configuration and setup.

  5. Networking: Argo uses the default networking capabilities provided by Kubernetes, including the ability to create and manage virtual networks and load balancers. Docker Swarm, on the other hand, has its own overlay network driver, which simplifies networking configuration and allows for secure and isolated communication between containers.

  6. Community and Ecosystem: Kubernetes, the underlying platform for Argo, has a larger and more active community compared to Docker Swarm. This means that there is a wider range of resources, tools, and third-party integrations available for Kubernetes and Argo. Docker Swarm, on the other hand, has a smaller but still dedicated community and a more focused ecosystem around Docker.

In summary, the key differences between Argo and Docker Swarm include their underlying architecture, scaling capabilities, rolling updates support, service discovery mechanisms, networking options, and the size and activity of their respective communities and ecosystems. These differences should be taken into consideration when choosing the container orchestration platform that best fits a specific use case.

Advice on Argo and Docker Swarm

Hello, we have a bunch of local hosts (Linux and Windows) where Docker containers are running with bamboo agents on them. Currently, each container is installed as a system service. Each host is set up manually. I want to improve the system by adding some sort of orchestration software that should install, update and check for consistency in my docker containers. I don't need any clouds, all hosts are local. I'd prefer simple solutions. What orchestration system should I choose?

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Replies (1)
Mortie Torabi
Recommends
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Docker SwarmDocker Swarm

If you just want the basic orchestration between a set of defined hosts, go with Docker Swarm. If you want more advanced orchestration + flexibility in terms of resource management and load balancing go with Kubernetes. In both cases, you can make it even more complex while making the whole architecture more understandable and replicable by using Terraform.

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Decisions about Argo and Docker Swarm
Simon Reymann
Senior Fullstack Developer at QUANTUSflow Software GmbH · | 30 upvotes · 8.9M views

Our whole DevOps stack consists of the following tools:

  • GitHub (incl. GitHub Pages/Markdown for Documentation, GettingStarted and HowTo's) for collaborative review and code management tool
  • Respectively Git as revision control system
  • SourceTree as Git GUI
  • Visual Studio Code as IDE
  • CircleCI for continuous integration (automatize development process)
  • Prettier / TSLint / ESLint as code linter
  • SonarQube as quality gate
  • Docker as container management (incl. Docker Compose for multi-container application management)
  • VirtualBox for operating system simulation tests
  • Kubernetes as cluster management for docker containers
  • Heroku for deploying in test environments
  • nginx as web server (preferably used as facade server in production environment)
  • SSLMate (using OpenSSL) for certificate management
  • Amazon EC2 (incl. Amazon S3) for deploying in stage (production-like) and production environments
  • PostgreSQL as preferred database system
  • Redis as preferred in-memory database/store (great for caching)

The main reason we have chosen Kubernetes over Docker Swarm is related to the following artifacts:

  • Key features: Easy and flexible installation, Clear dashboard, Great scaling operations, Monitoring is an integral part, Great load balancing concepts, Monitors the condition and ensures compensation in the event of failure.
  • Applications: An application can be deployed using a combination of pods, deployments, and services (or micro-services).
  • Functionality: Kubernetes as a complex installation and setup process, but it not as limited as Docker Swarm.
  • Monitoring: It supports multiple versions of logging and monitoring when the services are deployed within the cluster (Elasticsearch/Kibana (ELK), Heapster/Grafana, Sysdig cloud integration).
  • Scalability: All-in-one framework for distributed systems.
  • Other Benefits: Kubernetes is backed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), huge community among container orchestration tools, it is an open source and modular tool that works with any OS.
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Pros of Argo
Pros of Docker Swarm
  • 3
    Open Source
  • 2
    Autosinchronize the changes to deploy
  • 1
    Online service, no need to install anything
  • 55
    Docker friendly
  • 46
    Easy to setup
  • 40
    Standard Docker API
  • 38
    Easy to use
  • 23
    Native
  • 22
    Free
  • 13
    Clustering made easy
  • 12
    Simple usage
  • 11
    Integral part of docker
  • 6
    Cross Platform
  • 5
    Labels and annotations
  • 5
    Performance
  • 3
    Easy Networking
  • 3
    Shallow learning curve

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Cons of Argo
Cons of Docker Swarm
    Be the first to leave a con
    • 9
      Low adoption

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    What is Argo?

    Argo is an open source container-native workflow engine for getting work done on Kubernetes. Argo is implemented as a Kubernetes CRD (Custom Resource Definition).

    What is Docker Swarm?

    Swarm serves the standard Docker API, so any tool which already communicates with a Docker daemon can use Swarm to transparently scale to multiple hosts: Dokku, Compose, Krane, Deis, DockerUI, Shipyard, Drone, Jenkins... and, of course, the Docker client itself.

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    What companies use Argo?
    What companies use Docker Swarm?
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    What tools integrate with Argo?
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