Kubernetes VS Docker: Is It A Real Argument?
There has been a lot of buzz around Docker vs Kubernetes. It’s unlikely for you not to hear about these terms if you are interested in cloud-native technologies and containers.
Are you wondering whether to use Docker or Kubernetes for your business?
The argument for Kubernetes vs Docker is not an actual argument. There is a misconception that you should either use Docker or Kubernetes. But the fact is that Kubernetes and Docker are complementary technologies.
Kubernetes enables you to use your existing Docker container and workloads but also assists in tackling the complexities you run into while moving to scale your application.
Before diving deeper, we must first grasp the underlying technology that Docker and Kubernetes are built on: Containers.
Containers Fundamentals: Why are Containers Used?
The container concept first evolved as a solution for allowing applications such as microservices to operate in various computing environments. A container logically packages software code into standardized units, isolating it from the environment in which it operates.
You can quickly deploy such container-based applications regardless of whether the target environment is a private data center, the public cloud, or even a PC. Container technologies are lightweight, modular, and portable, which makes them preferable as a deployment platform for microservices.
Docker: Explained for Beginner
Docker is an open-source project that provides several great tools for working with your containerized application. Basically, it is a technology that makes it easier, safer, and faster for developers to build, deploy and manage containers.
The term ‘Docker’ and ‘Containers’ are used interchangeably. However, container technologies had existed for decades before Docker’s release in 2013.
Linus Containers (LXC) were the most prevalent virtualization method implemented in the Linux Kernel for running multiple isolated Linux systems back in 2008. Docker was based on LXC, but it swiftly outperformed LXC to become the most popular containerized platform by upgrading native Linux containerization capabilities.
Pros of Using Docker
Docker enables significant advantages for deploying containerized applications, as summarized below:
1. Lightweight and Portability: Once you test your containerized application, you can deploy it in any other environment wherever Docker is operating, and it will perform exactly like before.
2. Agility: You can make your application development process more agile and responsive with Docker. Containerization makes adopting CI/CD processes easier and takes advantage of containerized technology to deliver the right system at the right time.
3. Scalability: Docker enables creating new containers readily whenever your application requires them. You can manage multiple containers efficiently and simultaneously.
4. Isolation: Docker ensures that each container has its resources and is isolated from other containers. You can have multiple containers for separate applications running entirely in different stacks. It provides precise application removal since each application runs on its container.
Kubernetes Basics You Should Know
Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform to schedule and automate containerized applications’ deployment, management, and scaling. In the Kubernetes cluster, the containers operate across multiple container architectures.
A Kubernetes cluster comprises a container designated as a control plane that schedules the workloads for worker nodes and the pods in the cluster. There are also master nodes that determine where to host applications and when to put them together and manage their orchestration. Kubernetes facilitates the management of a high volume of containers throughout their life cycles.
Advantages of Kubernetes
1. Automates the deployment of containerized apps: You can schedule and automate container deployment over numerous compute nodes, which can be VMs or bare-metal servers.
2. Scalability: Kubernetes scales the application and infrastructural resources based
on your organization’s changing needs.
3. Self-healing: Whenever there is a failure of nodes, Kubernetes restarts, replaces, or reschedules containers. It performs routine health checks and terminates those containers that are not reactive to user-defined health checks.
4. Storage Orchestration: Kubernetes mounts a permanent local or cloud system of your need automatically to minimize latency and improve user experience.
Kubernetes vs Docker: Which one is better?
It should be evident by now that the underlying technologies of Kubernetes and Dockers are highly complementary. Docker delivers a containerization feature that allows developers to pack applications into small and separate containers through the command line.
Developers may execute such applications throughout various IT environments without concern about compatibility issues. If an application is tested on a single node it will run everywhere .
Kubernetes orchestrates existing Docker containers, scheduling and automatically deploying them throughout the IT environment to provide high availability when demand increases in business. Furthermore, Kubernetes provides the convenience of load balancing, self-healing, rollouts, and rollbacks. If you anticipate scaling your infrastructure in the future, it is wise to implement Kubernetes from the beginning. And those who are currently using Docker, Kubernetes supports the existing containers and workloads by addressing complicated issues while scaling the system.
The bottom line is that Kubernetes and Docker provide excellent services in their respective areas of expertise. Together, they provide a cohesive platform for managing, deploying, and orchestrating large-scale applications.
Final Thoughts
Since, Kubernetes and Docker are not competitors, they may be utilized as a powerful combination. No matter which container solution you choose, it’s essential to use the tool to understand your requirements and the system complexity of your distributed architecture as you scale up.
If you’re looking to reinvent your organization or simply augment its existing business, Berrybytes can assist you with cloud Kubernetes management, DevOps, DevSecOps, and other IT services tailored to your company’s strategy.
We can help you identify opportunities for innovation and help you implement them rapidly and effectively. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you transform your organization.
