There are a countless number of debates, discussions and social clatter talking about Kubernetes and Docker. If you have not dived deep, you would think that both of the open-source technologies are in the fight of the container supremacy. Let’s make it clear that, Kubernetes and Docker Swarm are not rivals! Both have their own pros and cons and can be used depending on your application requirements.
In this article, more light is shed upon:-
If you are looking to develop for modern cloud infrastructure or looking for DevOps implementation, then understanding of the full concept of Kubernetes and Docker is a must. This comprehensive article will take you on the journey of Kubernetes vs. Docker Swarm from scratch and will help you to answer to each of the important questions.
A container is the software package that contains an application’s code, configurations, and dependencies which delivers operational efficiency and productivity. Here, you can know exactly how it will run which means it is predictable, repeatable and immutable. The rise of containers has been a huge enabler for DevOps as Service and can overcome the largest hurdle of security faced today.
Containerization makes the applications portable by virtualizing at the operating-system level, creating isolated, encapsulated systems which are kernel based. Containerized apps can be dropped in anywhere and run without dependencies or requiring an entire VM, eliminating dependencies.
But, what if, when there are multiple containers?
Here container orchestration is needed!
Container orchestration is the process that can typically deploy multiple containers to implement an application through automation is called container orchestration. Platforms like Kubernetes and DockerSwarm are the container management and container orchestration engine that enable users to guide container deployment and automate updates, health monitoring, and failover procedures.
This all sounds really nice, but how to actually use tools and build container?
“Build, Ship, and Run Any App Anywhere”
Docker is a container management service which helps developers to design application and make it easier to create, deploy and run applications by using containers. Docker has a built-in mechanism for clustering containers, called “swarm mode.” With swarm mode, you can use Docker Engine to launch application across multiple machines.
Docker Swarm is Docker’s own native clustering solution for Docker containers which has an advantage of being tightly integrated into the ecosystem of Docker and uses its own API. It monitors the number of containers spread across clusters of servers and is the most convenient way to create clustered docker application without additional hardware. It provides you with a small-scale but useful orchestration system for the Dockerized app.
Automated Container Deployment, Scaling and Management Platform
When an application is developed with the diverse components across numerous containers on several machines, there is a need for the tool to manage and orchestrate the containers. This is only feasible with the help of Kubernetes.
Kubernetes is an open source system for managing containerized application in a clustered environment. Using Kubernetes in a right way helps the DevOps as a Service team to automatically scale up-down the application and update with the zero downtime.
Docker Swarm | Kubernetes | |
Developed By | Docker Inc | |
Year Released | 2013 | 2014 |
Companies using | Bugsnag, Bluestem Brands, Hammerhead, Code Picnic, Dial once etc. | Asana, Buffer, CircleCI, Evernote, Harvest, Intel, Starbucks, Shopify etc. |
Controller | Manager | Master |
Storage | Volumes | Persistent and Ephermal |
Public Cloud Service Provider | Google, Azure, AWS, OTC | Azure |
Compatibility | Less Extensive and Customizable | More Extensive and highly customizable |
Installation | Easy to set up | Takes time for installation |
Tolerance ratio | Low Fault Tolerance | High fault tolerance |
Large Clusters | Speed is considered for the strong cluster states | Provides container deployment and scaling even in large clusters without considering the speed |
Load Balancing | Provides load balancing when pods in the container are defined as service | Provides automated internal load balancing through any node in the cluster |
Deployment unit | Task | Pod |
Port | Published Port | Endpoint |
Network | Overlay | Flat Networking space |
Community | Active user base that regularly updates images for various application | Enjoys strong support from open source communities and big companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM |
Weakness | No certification plan for vendors. Most organization need commercially certified version | Inclined towards developers than central IT |
Strengths | Mostly controlled by a single vendor who can decide product direction | Clear market leader; largest adoption and interest |
Slave | Worker | Nodes |
Container set up | Functionality is provided and limited by Docker API | Client API and YAML are unique in kubernetes |
Scalability | Quick container deployment and scaling even in large containers | Provides strong guarantees to the cluster states at expense of speed |
As discussed earlier, Kubernetes and Docker both work at the different level but both can be used together. Kubernetes can be integrated with Docker engine to carry out the scheduling and execution of Docker containers. As docker and Kubernetes are both container orchestrators which means both can help to manage the number containers and also helps in DevOps implementation. Both can automate most of the tasks that are involved in running containerized infrastructure and are open source software projects, governed by an Apache Licence 2.0. Apart from this, both use YAML – formatted files to govern how the tools orchestrate container clusters. When both of them are used together, both Docker and Kubernetes are the best tools for deploying modern cloud architecture. With the exemption of Docker Swarm, both Kubernetes and Docker complement each other.
Kubernetes uses Docker as the main container engine solution and Docker recently announced that it can support Kubernetes as the orchestration layer of its enterprise edition. Apart from this, Docker approves certified Kubernetes program, which makes sure that all Kubernetes API functions as expected. Kubernetes uses the features of Docker Enterprise like Secure Image management, in which Docker EE provides image scanning to make sure if there is an issue in the image used in container. Another is Secure Automation in which organizations can remove inefficiencies such as scanning image for vulnerabilities.
Whether you choose Kubernetes or Docker, both are considered the best and possess considerable differences. The best way to decide between the two of them is probably to consider which one you already know better or which one fits your existing software stack. If you need to develop the complex app, use Kubernetes and if you are looking to develop the small-scale app, use Docker swarm. Moreover, choosing the right one is a very comprehensive task and solely depends on your project requirements and target audience as well.
Still, if you are not clear about your requirements or have any query we can help you! We have skilled DevOps experts who are well-versed in the technologies can help you to choose the best. Or, if you like to add anything in this blog or your are dubious about it connect with us today!
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