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CoreOS vs Docker: What are the differences?
Introduction
CoreOS and Docker are both popular containerization platforms used in the development and deployment of applications. While they share some similarities, there are distinct differences between the two.
Containerization Approach: CoreOS and Docker differ in their approach to containerization. CoreOS utilizes the concept of containers as lightweight virtual machines, providing a minimalistic operating system. On the other hand, Docker focuses on creating containers that encapsulate specific application components, running on top of the host operating system.
Operating System Integration: CoreOS is designed to be a standalone operating system, specifically optimized to run containers. It includes features like automatic updates, clustered management, and distributed key-value store. In contrast, Docker can be installed on various operating systems, integrating with the existing host OS to run containers.
Orchestration and Clustering: Docker provides basic clustering and orchestration capabilities through Docker Swarm mode. It allows users to create a swarm of Docker hosts and manage containers across the cluster. CoreOS, on the other hand, comes with built-in orchestration using Kubernetes, which provides more advanced features like auto-scaling, service discovery, and load balancing.
Security and Isolation: CoreOS places a strong emphasis on security and isolation, ensuring that containers are isolated from each other and from the host system. It achieves this through features like SELinux, AppArmor, and secure boot. While Docker also provides security features, it may require additional configurations to achieve the same level of isolation as CoreOS.
Storage and Networking: CoreOS offers a distributed file system called etcd, which can be used for service discovery and configuration management. It also includes built-in support for overlay networks, allowing containers to communicate with each other across different hosts. In contrast, Docker relies on external solutions like Docker volumes and Docker networking plugins for storage and networking functionalities.
Community and Ecosystem: Docker has a larger user community and ecosystem compared to CoreOS. It has a vast repository of pre-built Docker images and a wide range of third-party tools and integrations. This expansive ecosystem makes it easier for developers to find resources and solutions for their containerization needs.
In Summary, CoreOS and Docker differ in their containerization approach, operating system integration, orchestration capabilities, security and isolation, storage and networking solutions, and the size of their respective communities and ecosystems.
lxd/lxc and Docker aren't congruent so this comparison needs a more detailed look; but in short I can say: the lxd-integrated administration of storage including zfs with its snapshot capabilities as well as the system container (multi-process) approach of lxc vs. the limited single-process container approach of Docker is the main reason I chose lxd over Docker.
Pros of CoreOS
- Container management20
- Lightweight15
- Systemd9
Pros of Docker
- Rapid integration and build up823
- Isolation692
- Open source521
- Testability and reproducibility505
- Lightweight460
- Standardization218
- Scalable185
- Upgrading / downgrading / application versions106
- Security88
- Private paas environments85
- Portability34
- Limit resource usage26
- Game changer17
- I love the way docker has changed virtualization16
- Fast14
- Concurrency12
- Docker's Compose tools8
- Easy setup6
- Fast and Portable6
- Because its fun5
- Makes shipping to production very simple4
- Highly useful3
- It's dope3
- Package the environment with the application2
- Super2
- Open source and highly configurable2
- Simplicity, isolation, resource effective2
- MacOS support FAKE2
- Its cool2
- Does a nice job hogging memory2
- Docker hub for the FTW2
- HIgh Throughput2
- Very easy to setup integrate and build2
- Asdfd0
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Cons of CoreOS
- End-of-lifed3
Cons of Docker
- New versions == broken features8
- Unreliable networking6
- Documentation not always in sync6
- Moves quickly4
- Not Secure3