Docker vs IBM Containers

Overview

Docker

Stacks194.2K

Followers143.8K

Votes3.9K

IBM Containers

Stacks32

Followers49

Votes0

Docker vs IBM Containers: What are the differences?

Docker and IBM Containers are both popular containerization platforms that allow for the deployment and management of applications. While they share certain similarities, there are key differences between these two platforms that are important to consider.

Container Engine Implementation: Docker utilizes its own built-in container engine, called the Docker Engine, which is developed specifically for Docker. On the other hand, IBM Containers use the IBM Cloud Container Service, which is based on the open-source container orchestrator Kubernetes. This means that Docker has full control over the container runtime, while IBM Containers leverage the power and flexibility of Kubernetes.
Platform Integration: Docker is known for its versatility and its ability to work seamlessly across various operating systems and cloud providers. IBM Containers, however, are tightly integrated with the IBM Cloud platform, making it easier to develop, deploy, and manage containerized applications within the IBM Cloud ecosystem. This integration can provide additional benefits such as access to specific IBM Cloud services and enhanced support.
Managed Service: Docker offers a self-managed containerization platform, requiring users to handle the setup, configuration, and maintenance of the Docker environment. In contrast, IBM Containers are offered as a fully managed service within the IBM Cloud, taking care of the infrastructure and operational aspects for the users. This managed service approach simplifies the containerization process and allows users to focus on application development rather than infrastructure management.
Security and Compliance: Docker provides robust security features out-of-the-box, such as user namespace remapping and container isolation. IBM Containers extend these security capabilities by leveraging the security features provided within the IBM Cloud platform, including comprehensive security policies, identity and access management, and encrypted container images and data. This enhanced security and compliance framework make IBM Containers a preferred choice for organizations with strict security requirements.
Enterprise Support: Docker has a large and active community, providing extensive documentation, forums, and community-driven support. However, for enterprise customers who require dedicated support and service level agreements (SLAs), IBM Containers offer enterprise-grade support with technical assistance, proactive monitoring, and guaranteed response times. This level of support can be crucial for organizations prioritizing reliability, availability, and performance.
Pricing and Pricing Models: Docker operates on a freemium model, offering a free community edition with limited features and a subscription-based enterprise edition with additional features and support. IBM Containers, being part of the IBM Cloud platform, follow the IBM Cloud pricing model, which offers various pricing options based on resource consumption, usage patterns, and service levels. The IBM Cloud pricing model provides flexibility to align costs with specific business requirements and usage.

In Summary, Docker and IBM Containers differ in terms of container engine implementation, platform integration, managed service offering, security and compliance features, enterprise support, and pricing models. Organizations should consider these differences to choose the most suitable containerization platform for their specific requirements and preferences.

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Advice on Docker, IBM Containers

Florian

IT DevOp at Agitos GmbH

Oct 22, 2019

Decided

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.

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Detailed Comparison

Docker	IBM Containers
The Docker Platform is the industry-leading container platform for continuous, high-velocity innovation, enabling organizations to seamlessly build and share any application — from legacy to what comes next — and securely run them anywhere	Managed Kubernetes offering to deliver powerful tools, an intuitive user experience, and built-in security and isolation to enable rapid delivery of applications all while leveraging Services including Watson, Weather, IoT, etc.
Integrated developer tools; open, portable images; shareable, reusable apps; framework-aware builds; standardized templates; multi-environment support; remote registry management; simple setup for Docker and Kubernetes; certified Kubernetes; application templates; enterprise controls; secure software supply chain; industry-leading container runtime; image scanning; access controls; image signing; caching and mirroring; image lifecycle; policy-based image promotion	Managed Kubernetes with simplified cluster management from IBM; Cluster isolation choice (virtual - shared or dedicated compute and bare metal); Vulnerability Advisor introspects every layer in each image for known vulnerabilities and configuration weaknesses, as well as live container scanning; Enhance apps using 170+ services from IBM Cloud catalog; Integrated operational tools for monitoring and logging, or bring your tool of choice to ICCS; Secure to the core - edge nodes to minimize the cluster's attack surface, secured firewall, integrated VPN, identity and access management, trusted compute
Statistics
Stacks 194.2K	Stacks 32
Followers 143.8K	Followers 49
Votes 3.9K	Votes 0
Pros & Cons
Pros 823 Rapid integration and build up 692 Isolation 521 Open source 505 Testability and reproducibility 460 Lightweight Cons 8 New versions == broken features 6 Documentation not always in sync 6 Unreliable networking 4 Moves quickly 3 Not Secure	No community feedback yet
Integrations
Java Docker Compose VirtualBox Linux Amazon EC2 Container Service Docker Swarm boot2docker Kubernetes Docker Machine Vagrant	Kubernetes Prometheus Let's Encrypt Fluentd

What are some alternatives to Docker, IBM Containers?

Amazon EC2 Container Service

Amazon EC2 Container Service lets you launch and stop container-enabled applications with simple API calls, allows you to query the state of your cluster from a centralized service, and gives you access to many familiar Amazon EC2 features like security groups, EBS volumes and IAM roles.

Google Kubernetes Engine

Container Engine takes care of provisioning and maintaining the underlying virtual machine cluster, scaling your application, and operational logistics like logging, monitoring, and health management.

LXD

LXD isn't a rewrite of LXC, in fact it's building on top of LXC to provide a new, better user experience. Under the hood, LXD uses LXC through liblxc and its Go binding to create and manage the containers. It's basically an alternative to LXC's tools and distribution template system with the added features that come from being controllable over the network.

Containerum

Containerum is built to aid cluster management, teamwork and resource allocation. Containerum runs on top of any Kubernetes cluster and provides a friendly Web UI for cluster management.

LXC

LXC is a userspace interface for the Linux kernel containment features. Through a powerful API and simple tools, it lets Linux users easily create and manage system or application containers.

Azure Container Service

Azure Container Service optimizes the configuration of popular open source tools and technologies specifically for Azure. You get an open solution that offers portability for both your containers and your application configuration. You select the size, the number of hosts, and choice of orchestrator tools, and Container Service handles everything else.

Docker Cloud

Docker Cloud is the best way to deploy and manage Dockerized applications. Docker Cloud makes it easy for new Docker users to manage and deploy the full spectrum of applications, from single container apps to distributed microservices stacks, to any cloud or on-premises infrastructure.

rkt

Rocket is a cli for running App Containers. The goal of rocket is to be composable, secure, and fast.

Amazon EKS

Amazon Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes (Amazon EKS) is a managed service that makes it easy for you to run Kubernetes on AWS without needing to install and operate your own Kubernetes clusters.

Vagrant Cloud

Vagrant Cloud pairs with Vagrant to enable access, insight and collaboration across teams, as well as to bring exposure to community contributions and development environments.

Related Comparisons

Docker vs IBM Containers: What are the differences?

Container Engine Implementation: Docker utilizes its own built-in container engine, called the Docker Engine, which is developed specifically for Docker. On the other hand, IBM Containers use the IBM Cloud Container Service, which is based on the open-source container orchestrator Kubernetes. This means that Docker has full control over the container runtime, while IBM Containers leverage the power and flexibility of Kubernetes.
Platform Integration: Docker is known for its versatility and its ability to work seamlessly across various operating systems and cloud providers. IBM Containers, however, are tightly integrated with the IBM Cloud platform, making it easier to develop, deploy, and manage containerized applications within the IBM Cloud ecosystem. This integration can provide additional benefits such as access to specific IBM Cloud services and enhanced support.
Managed Service: Docker offers a self-managed containerization platform, requiring users to handle the setup, configuration, and maintenance of the Docker environment. In contrast, IBM Containers are offered as a fully managed service within the IBM Cloud, taking care of the infrastructure and operational aspects for the users. This managed service approach simplifies the containerization process and allows users to focus on application development rather than infrastructure management.
Security and Compliance: Docker provides robust security features out-of-the-box, such as user namespace remapping and container isolation. IBM Containers extend these security capabilities by leveraging the security features provided within the IBM Cloud platform, including comprehensive security policies, identity and access management, and encrypted container images and data. This enhanced security and compliance framework make IBM Containers a preferred choice for organizations with strict security requirements.
Enterprise Support: Docker has a large and active community, providing extensive documentation, forums, and community-driven support. However, for enterprise customers who require dedicated support and service level agreements (SLAs), IBM Containers offer enterprise-grade support with technical assistance, proactive monitoring, and guaranteed response times. This level of support can be crucial for organizations prioritizing reliability, availability, and performance.
Pricing and Pricing Models: Docker operates on a freemium model, offering a free community edition with limited features and a subscription-based enterprise edition with additional features and support. IBM Containers, being part of the IBM Cloud platform, follow the IBM Cloud pricing model, which offers various pricing options based on resource consumption, usage patterns, and service levels. The IBM Cloud pricing model provides flexibility to align costs with specific business requirements and usage.

Docker vs IBM Containers

Overview