Cloud infrastructure enables you to take advantage of several IT components, including but not limited to storage and networking. Thanks to cloud computing, you are able to do more with less. Provisioning, scaling, and maintenance become a breeze. The question now is: do you need Kubernetes or Docker in your system? The answer depends on your business demand and the updates. If you want to deliver customer experience that is equal to that of Amazon or Netflix, you should step up your game, no matter what option you settle for. Do not get lost in the terminology of containerization and orchestration. It is more important to understand the implications for your business. In this article, we will discuss the main differences between Kubernetes and Docker to help you make the right decision.
Kubernetes- running everything as a container
Kubernetes is an open-source platform for container orchestration, which id the automatic process of controlling and scheduling the work of individual containers with respect to applications that are based on microservices with various clusters. What Kubernetes does is offer a container-centric management environment. If it is necessary to change anything, the modifications are not carried out directly on the server. Instead, a new server is built from a base image and all the necessary changes are backed in with it. The aim of the open-source platform may not stand out immediately, though.
Thanks to Kubernetes, you can deploy computational resources to the maximum. You are in complete control of the infrastructure and, most importantly, save a great deal of money. According to the Google software engineer Janet Kuo, Kubernetes is like a platform for application patterns. She points out the fact that the patterns make the application easy to use, run, and easy to maintain running. A couple of years ago, Kubernetes was pushed into the open source by Google. What you need to keep in mind is that Kubernetes is meant to simplify the organization and scheduling of an application across a fleet of machines. It provides basically the same functionality as Infrastructure as a Service and APIs.
Here are the key features that make Kubernetes stand out:
- Less complex service discovery–Various services have their own purposes, but that does not mean that they cannot communicate with each other. Self-containment streamlines communication. Basically, microservices can talk with each other in a consistent manner.
- API server – Users can take advantage of this feature to interact with the manifest.yml file. It can be used for any operation directly connected to API objects, such as Pod creation.
- Accurate history deployment – Owing to the built-in deployment feature, virtually anyone is able to check the delivery status of Kubernetes. All of the history is kept in the system.
Docker
Kubernetes vs Docker is not a new topic when it comes to cloud computing. As a matter of fact, there has been much talk about containerization and orchestration. Docker is an independent container platform that makes it possible for organizations to create, use, and run applications with the help of containers. The main advantage of deploying this technology is that applications are packaged in containers, so they are therefore portable among any operating system. It has the power to transform development teams, so it should not come as a surprise that an ever-increasing number of companies are widely adopting Docker. Instead of bringing to life a virtual operating system, Docker enables apps to use the same Linux kernel as the system that they are running on.
Unless you are managing large microservice architectures, Docker will not be of much help. It is not meant to be used for simple websites. The Purpose of the tool is to automate the use of applications within software containers, not to mention the OS level visualization of Linux. Among the many advantages of deploying Docker in the real-world, mention can be made of container analogy. Not only do you transfer the code, but also the entire operating system and all the connected layers. Docker runs in the kernel, as mentioned earlier. What does this mean? It simply means that it becomes part of the OS, which is why it is so simple to carry out the task-switching process. It is great for developers and administrators alike.
Here are some key features that make Docker stand out:
- Members of the team can become highly productive– People who have recently joined the team do not have to spend a lot of time setting up the machine. The environment can be setup in a matter of minutes. The team member is fruitful from the get-go.
- Application isolation –The packages created do not interfere with each other. The containers can be leveraged to run applications in isolated environments. So, if you would like to run several apps on one server, you can keep the components separate.
- Responsive deployment and scaling –Workload portability is incorporated into the design. The container-based platform enables highly portable workloads, supporting workloads across all architectures, including on-premises, virtual infrastructure, and cloud. As needs evolve, it is possible to shift workloads to and from various environments.
Final considerations
It is important to stress that Kubernetes and Docker are not competing technologies.They are not closely connected, in the sense that Kubernetes can run very well without Docker and Docker can run very well without Kubernetes, but there is beneficial interaction between the two. To be more precise, the tools have a symbiotic relationship. If you deploy both technologies, you will be able to deliver faster. What is more, you can deliver in a consistent and predictable manner, which is non-negligible. While Docker makes available an open standard for packing and distributing containerized apps, Kubernetes is used to deploy and scale the apps. The point is that you should not choose between the two.
Finally yet importantly, there are professionals who can help you with these solutions. If you have a hard time understanding the capabilities and emerging platforms, seek expert help. They will be able to help you make a choice that benefits your company and, consequently, unlocks value.