Kubernetes and Docker have been the biggest influencers in cloud computing technology this decade. These two open-source platforms are some of the players that have made containerization so successful.
However, despite their skyrocketing popularity, most people are yet to understand exactly what they are. No wonder there are so many Google searches on Kubernetes vs Docker.
What most people are yet to realize is that these 2 aren’t comparable. These technologies shouldn’t bring about the question of which one is better. Instead, businesses should focus on Kubernetes security best practices that make this platform a complementary tool for Docker containerization.
In this post, we’ll help you understand:
# What is Docker?
# What exactly is Kubernetes?
# How Kubernetes Works
# What are the differences between Docker and Kubernetes?
# Advantages of using Docker and Kubernetes together
# Unpacking containers- what are they?
It’s hard to talk about the relationship between Docker and Kubernetes without touching on containers. So, let’s define these first.
A container is a standardized lightweight software that allows you to package an application code together with its configuration files, libraries, and other dependencies. By bundling up all the necessary executables in one unit, it becomes easy for developers to deploy a container-based application almost anywhere, be it on a cloud, in a private data center, a personal computer/laptop, or a combination of different environments.
Containers are yet to replace virtual machines completely. However, they offer a much better alternative because they virtualize an operating system allowing multiple workloads to run on one OS. On the other hand, a VM creates several virtual guest OSes on the host machine.
There are several advantages of containerization, but the primary benefits are increased efficiency, higher productivity, and consistency.
What is Docker in simple terms?
Docker is an open-source software platform that makes it easy to develop, ship, and run applications. To make this process easy, Docker has what’s called a Docker engine. This is the runtime that offers all the tools to build, manage, and run containers. Essentially, Docker is a technology for developing applications within containers.
Containerization may seem like a new technology owing to its surging popularity. However, software developers have used containers since the 1970s. Before Docker was released in 2013, there were other container platforms, including LXC and OpenVZ. However, Docker received a spectacular adoption, mainly because its birth coincided with the revolution of DevOps. DevOps revolution called for flexibility, agility, and scalability in software development, and that’s exactly what Docker containers offer.
What exactly is Kubernetes?
Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration tool by Google that automates scheduling, deploying, scaling, networking, monitoring, and managing containers. In simple words, Kubernetes offer an intuitive way of managing containerized services.
As an administrator, scaling applications to a few hundred deployments and moving them to local servers and cloud service providers have several challenges. First, you should be able to balance the applications across the servers and detect which servers are overutilized.
Secondly, you’ll have to take care of instance startup time in case of a failover and when rolling upgrades. You’ll also need to be good at modifying deployments using both UI and CLI.
These are just a few of the pains you encounter when you try to maximize efficiency by scaling your deployments manually. But that’s where container orchestration platforms, such as Kubernetes, come in.
How Kubernetes works
To better understand how Kubernetes works, you first need to be familiar with making and managing Docker containers using Docker CLI commands. When creating an application using Docker containers, you’d need to command these CLIs:
Pull an image from Docker Hub, private registry, or local community’s registry.
# Use the image to create a container.
# Start stopped containers
# Stop running containers
These commands are just enough, especially when dealing with a few applications. However, they are not adequate when it comes to complex deployments, especially when dealing with multiple servers.
With a container orchestrating platform, you only need to state what you need to accomplish. Kubernetes automates and manages all the necessary procedures until your desired results are achieved.
# Functions of Kubernetes in Containerized Applications
# Scheduling and automating container deployment.
# Service discovery and balancing loads between several servers.
# Monitoring containers by restarting, replacing, or rescheduling them.
# Automating rollouts and rollbacks.
# Mounting your preferred persistent storage system automatically.
# What are the differences between Docker and Kubernetes?
If you’ve followed this post closely, you’ll realize that attempting to compare Docker and Kubernetes is somewhat illogical.
While they revolve around containerization, these two are different technologies with different roles to play. Unlike what most people think, Kubernetes does not need Docker to function. Neither does Docker require Kubernetes to work as it should.
Kubernetes is mostly used with Docker due to the latter’s popularity. However, it’s also used with other runtimes, including Azure Functions and AWS.
Kubernetes complements a containerization platform by managing the major responsibilities, such as container deployment, scaling, and load balancing.
Utilizing Kubernetes in Docker containerization is akin to having a general contractor remodel your bathroom to your desired state. On the contrary, using containers without an orchestrating platform is similar to remodeling the bathroom yourself.
Advantages of using Docker and Kubernetes together
Essentially, there is no “better” between Docker and Kubernetes. Instead, these technologies are two pieces of a puzzle that should fit together. On the one hand, Docker lets you isolate and package your software together with its dependencies.
On the other hand, Kubernetes automates most of the critical functions you’d otherwise need to manually carry out.
Kubernetes follow your declarations to orchestrate your containers and deliver your desired outcome. By automating most of the functions, Kubernetes lets you focus on other duties, for instance, developing new features.
As soon as you start running Kubernetes on Docker containers, you should experience improved productivity. Also, Kubernetes offer a surefire way of ensuring that your applications are always stable. It does this by allowing you to roll out updates when improving your software without downtime.
So, here is the bottom line: Docker and Kubernetes can’t be compared. Instead, they should be used together to boost productivity and confidence in the performance of container-based applications.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
