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Docker vs Kubernetes: What are the differences?
Docker is a containerization platform that allows you to build, package, and distribute applications using containers. Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications in a cluster environment. Here are some key differences between Docker and Kubernetes:
Containerization vs Orchestration: Docker is primarily a containerization platform that allows developers to create, package, and distribute applications in containers. It provides an easy way to isolate and run applications with their dependencies. Kubernetes, on the other hand, is an orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications across a cluster of machines. While Docker focuses on container creation and management, Kubernetes focuses on the efficient orchestration of containers at scale.
Single Host vs Cluster Management: Docker is designed to work on a single host or a development environment. It is suitable for small-scale deployments and local development setups. In contrast, Kubernetes is designed to manage containerized applications across a cluster of machines, providing features like auto-scaling, load balancing, service discovery, and self-healing capabilities. Kubernetes excels in large-scale production deployments and offers advanced management features for complex distributed systems.
Scope of Control: Docker provides control at the individual container level, allowing developers to manage containers and their resources directly. It provides tools for container image creation, configuration, and deployment. Kubernetes operates at a higher level of abstraction and provides declarative specifications for defining the desired state of the entire application infrastructure. It handles the scheduling and placement of containers, manages their lifecycle, and automatically adjusts resources based on demand.
Flexibility vs Opinions: Docker offers flexibility in terms of the choice of the underlying infrastructure, enabling it to run on various operating systems and cloud platforms. It supports multiple container runtimes, including its default runtime, containerd. Kubernetes, on the other hand, has a more opinionated approach and is closely tied to the Linux operating system. It standardizes the way containers are orchestrated and managed, providing a consistent platform across different environments.
In summary, Docker focuses on containerization and simplifies the process of packaging and running applications in containers. It is suitable for local development and smaller deployments. Kubernetes, on the other hand, is an advanced container orchestration platform designed for large-scale production deployments. It automates the management of containerized applications across a cluster, providing scalability, resilience, and enhanced management capabilities.
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.
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
- Isolation691
- 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
- Very easy to setup integrate and build2
- HIgh Throughput2
- Package the environment with the application2
- Does a nice job hogging memory2
- Open source and highly configurable2
- Simplicity, isolation, resource effective2
- MacOS support FAKE2
- Its cool2
- Docker hub for the FTW2
- Super2
- Asdfd0
Pros of Kubernetes
- Leading docker container management solution164
- Simple and powerful128
- Open source106
- Backed by google76
- The right abstractions58
- Scale services25
- Replication controller20
- Permission managment11
- Supports autoscaling9
- Cheap8
- Simple8
- Self-healing6
- No cloud platform lock-in5
- Promotes modern/good infrascture practice5
- Open, powerful, stable5
- Reliable5
- Scalable4
- Quick cloud setup4
- Cloud Agnostic3
- Captain of Container Ship3
- A self healing environment with rich metadata3
- Runs on azure3
- Backed by Red Hat3
- Custom and extensibility3
- Sfg2
- Gke2
- Everything of CaaS2
- Golang2
- Easy setup2
- Expandable2
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Cons of Docker
- New versions == broken features8
- Unreliable networking6
- Documentation not always in sync6
- Moves quickly4
- Not Secure3
Cons of Kubernetes
- Steep learning curve16
- Poor workflow for development15
- Orchestrates only infrastructure8
- High resource requirements for on-prem clusters4
- Too heavy for simple systems2
- Additional vendor lock-in (Docker)1
- More moving parts to secure1
- Additional Technology Overhead1
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