LXC vs containerd: What are the differences?

Key Differences Between LXC and containerd

Introduction

LXC (Linux Containers) and containerd are both tools used in containerization, but they have some key differences that set them apart. Understanding these differences can help in choosing the right tool for specific use cases. Below are the six main differences between LXC and containerd.

1. Architecture: LXC is an operating system-level virtualization method that uses Linux kernel features to run multiple isolated container instances on a single host. It provides a more complete container runtime environment compared to containerd, which is a container runtime interface that focuses on managing container execution and low-level container runtime operations.

2. Scope: LXC provides a higher level of control and functionality as it includes the full user-space and command-line interface for managing containers. On the other hand, containerd is designed to be a lightweight runtime focused on executing containers using the container runtime interface (CRI) standards and provides a more minimalistic approach.

3. Integration: LXC is tightly integrated with the Linux kernel and utilizes the Linux features and tools extensively. It leverages kernel namespaces, capabilities, and control groups to provide complete isolation. Conversely, containerd is designed to work with various container runtimes, including Docker and Kubernetes, and provides a standardized API for container execution, image management, and more.

4. Usage: LXC is commonly used for running full-fledged Linux distributions within containers, allowing users to create and manage lightweight system containers. It provides a more traditional virtualization experience with a broad range of features. On the other hand, containerd is often used as a backend container runtime for higher-level container orchestration platforms like Docker and Kubernetes. It focuses on executing container tasks efficiently.

5. Management: LXC comes with its own command-line tools and utilities for managing containers, configuring networking, and managing storage. It provides a comprehensive set of features to control the container environment. In contrast, containerd is a lower-level runtime that requires higher-level tools like Docker or Kubernetes to manage container lifecycles, networking, and other infrastructure-related aspects.

6. Extensibility: LXC allows users to easily extend its functionalities by creating custom templates, plugins, and hooks. It provides flexibility to modify and add features as needed. On the other hand, containerd is designed to be more modular and focused, aiming for simpler extensibility and compatibility with various container runtimes and orchestrators.

In Summary, LXC is a full-fledged containerization solution that provides a comprehensive user-space environment, while containerd is a minimalistic container runtime interface that focuses on executing containers efficiently and works well with higher-level container orchestration platforms like Docker and Kubernetes.