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Docker vs Fabric: What are the differences?
Introduction
Docker and Fabric are two popular tools used in the software development industry. While they have some similarities, they also have key differences that set them apart. In this article, we will explore these differences and provide a clear understanding of when to use Docker and when to use Fabric.
Deployment Methodology: Docker is a containerization platform that allows developers to package their applications, along with all the dependencies, into a single unit called a container. It provides an isolated and consistent environment for running applications. On the other hand, Fabric is a Python library that simplifies the deployment and management of applications on remote servers. It focuses on automation and scripting tasks related to deploying applications.
Level of Abstraction: Docker operates at a higher level of abstraction compared to Fabric. Docker allows developers to define the entire application stack, including the operating system, libraries, and dependencies, in a Dockerfile. It abstracts away the underlying infrastructure and provides a consistent runtime environment. Conversely, Fabric is more focused on providing a flexible and easy-to-use platform for deploying applications, without the need for defining the entire infrastructure stack.
Portability: Docker containers are highly portable and can be run on any system that supports Docker, regardless of the underlying operating system or architecture. This makes Docker suitable for deploying applications across different environments with ease. On the other hand, Fabric is more geared towards specific server configurations and may require more manual setup and configuration to work on different systems.
Scalability: Docker provides built-in features for scaling applications, allowing developers to easily scale containers up or down based on the demand. It also supports orchestration tools like Docker Swarm and Kubernetes, which simplify the management of large-scale container deployments. Meanwhile, Fabric focuses more on the deployment and configuration aspects and may require additional tools or scripts to handle scaling.
Development vs. Operations: Docker is commonly used during development and testing stages to ensure consistent and reproducible environments. It helps developers build and test applications with their dependencies, making it easier to identify and fix potential issues. Fabric, on the other hand, is more focused on the operational aspects of deploying and managing applications in production environments.
Ecosystem and Community: Docker has a large and active community, with an extensive ecosystem of tools, libraries, and images available. Developers can leverage these resources to simplify their workflow and address common challenges. Fabric, while not as widely adopted as Docker, still has a supportive community and offers its own set of plugins and extensions for various deployment scenarios.
In summary, Docker is a containerization platform that provides a higher level of abstraction and focuses on packaging and running applications in isolated environments. Fabric, on the other hand, is a Python library that simplifies deployment and management tasks, with a focus on automation and scripting. Docker is more suitable for development and testing stages, while Fabric is more aligned with operational deployment in production environments.
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 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
Pros of Fabric
- Python23
- Simple21
- Low learning curve, from bash script to Python power5
- Installation feedback for Twitter App Cards5
- Easy on maintainance3
- Single config file3
- Installation? pip install fabric... Boom3
- Easy to add any type of job3
- Agentless3
- Easily automate any set system automation2
- Flexible1
- Crash Analytics1
- Backward compatibility1
- Remote sudo execution1
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Cons of Docker
- New versions == broken features8
- Unreliable networking6
- Documentation not always in sync6
- Moves quickly4
- Not Secure3