Since the release in 2013 of Docker—a computer program designed to perform containerization or OS-level virtualization—many tech companies have been excited by this program. In fact, huge tech corporations like IBM, Google, and Microsoft did not even have any qualms in investing in this program. Many are left asking what this computer program has to offer and why it is increasingly growing in popularity. It is said that there are advantages concomitant with the use of containers, and these advantages are best understood if you are going to compare containers with virtual machines (VM).
Virtual Machines vs Containers
To understand the great advantages afforded by containers, you need to distinguish between containers and virtual machines. On the one hand, a VM is basically a mimicking of the computer system; it is an emulation of the CP system. It can also mimic architectures and thus allow for the execution of the operating system and software apps. Hence, you can use various operating systems within a single physical computer because of the VM. On the other hand, containers are platforms that provide access to applications across various hybrid clouds. As a platform, it enables users to digitally transform their computer systems by allowing these systems to make use of more applications.
Having read the above-mentioned short descriptions of VM and containers, you would readily notice that VM is far different from containers. The good thing, however, with containers is that they can enable a company to pack together more applications into a physical server as compared to that of the virtual machine. VM takes up much system resources for it usually runs a virtual copy of every hardware needed by the OS. This process takes a lot of CPU cycles and RAM space.
On the other hand, containers simply need an operating system to allow the different applications to work, lumping up all these applications within a single container. Pragmatically, this allows you to install more apps on a server compared to that of the VM. To those who are uninitiated into the intricacies of programming, this may sound Greek or Latin to you, but I know you would also soon understand the above-mentioned explanations.
If your business is interested in containerization, you can readily take docker training, Docker being the main proponent of this technology. Since with containerization you can pack a greater number of apps into a single server, you can surely enhance the functionalities of every physical computer within your network system. Other advantages of containerization are its portability and the consistency of the operating environment created by the deployment of containers. Whatever vantage point you use, containerization is definitely very advantageous.
Should You Opt for Containers?
One concern, however, that needs closer scrutiny when it comes to the use of containers is its security, for it could in some ways compromise the integrity of the operating system. But this can be remedied, as Docker has already anticipated this potential problem even before it surfaces. Opting for containers is just a matter of learning how to address your needs. If you need and want to run many applications on a server and you have many operating systems that you want to utilize, you should use VMs. However, if you want to run many applications while wanting to take up less amount of space on your servers, then container is the best option for your business.
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