What is Docker and Why is it So Popular?

A] How Does Docker Work?

Docker allows developers to package and run apps in “containers”, but how does it work? Docker is capable of running multiple containers at the same time on a host computer. Since containers do not stress CPU resources too much, multiple instances can run at the same time. The need for a hypervisor is also eliminated in the process by making use of the host’s machine kernel.

The Docker application is so well optimized that its containers can run on virtual host machines as well. The platform is capable of offering tools to manage the lifecycle of an app’s containers. Complete development is possible through the use of containers and all supporting components can be directly built into one package as well.

Once an app is developed, it becomes the unit for testing and distribution of applications. Once apps are ready to be shipped, developers can deploy their applications into the production environment as an orchestrated service or as a container. The apps will work within a local data center, a cloud provider as well as a hybrid solution of both options making it a highly flexible tool for development.

Docker has its own engine which is a client-server application that includes three major components – a server, a command-line interface, and a REST API.

The Server is a daemon process which is a long-running program and it handles all Docker operations. The daemon is responsible for creating and managing Docker objects such as networks, volumes, containers, and images.
Docker’s CLI (command-line interface) controls and interacts with the Docker daemon via scripts and direct commands.
The REST API is responsible for specifying interfaces that programs can use to communicate with the daemon and send instructions.

B] What Are Docker Containers?

Typically, a dockers container contains system tools, libraries, settings, code, and runtime. Containers are available for both Windows and Linux systems. Containers isolate the software from its environment to ensure staging and development work properly.

Docker created the industry standard to enable applications to become portable and usable across multiple systems regardless of configuration and settings. Containers share system kernels and do not require operating systems per application. They enable high efficiency, which, in turn, reduces the costs involved with server upkeep or licensing. Containers also offer a secure environment and the best possible isolation in the development industry.

Overall, docker and container give developers the ability to work with more freedom, while offering a powerful means of building business applications that can quickly adapt to changing business conditions.

C] Advantages of Docker Containers

Docker adoption has been picking up in the industry and for good reason. Here are the top advantages of using Docker that are driving impressive growth.

1. Cost Efficiency

The biggest advantage of Docker containers is the amount of cost-saving it offers. The return on investment when using Docker is very lucrative and it helps developers drive down costs while also improving profits. Docker is more lucrative for larger companies that want to generate solid revenue over a long period of time.

Docker facilitates long-term savings by reducing the amount of infrastructure and resources needed for development. The biggest difference in investment is visible when it comes to server costs. Using such efficient applications also requires fewer engineers to develop and manage them as well, which leads to lower human resource costs.

2. Productivity

Docker containers ensure multiple development and release cycles are handled consistently under a single unified platform. Having a standardized environment allows production to be as efficient as possible.

A standardized service infrastructure across an organization allows team members to work in an environment where developers are on par with each other. All engineers are automatically equipped to fix bugs and analyze the performance of their applications. It drastically reduces the amount of time that is wasted on bug fixing and improving features and allows more time to be invested in feature development.

3. Compatibility

Even if multiple users run an app on different systems and settings, apps developed using Docker run the same on all servers. Developers save a lot of time they would otherwise be spending on creating new environments and debugging issues specific to a particular environment. The codebase is easy to set up and is far more portable than any other platform.

Production infrastructure also becomes easier to maintain and far more reliable than using traditional development frameworks. The same container image can be used across all stages of app development. Developers can run these images separately without any dependency and speed up the development process.

4. Easier Deployment

Deployments in Docker take only a few seconds. With the platform creating containers for each individual process, it allows developers to save on boot time. Docker apps also do not boot into an OS and simply make use of the OS kernel instead. The apps can also write, erase, and rewrite data without losing efficiency.

5. Continuous Testing

Docker enables developers to test their apps in consistent environments right from the early development stages until the end of production. All Docker containers can be pre-configured to account for all possible dependencies and configurations. Developers can make use of the same containers until the production stages without needing any manual intervention.

If developers want to upgrade an app during the release cycle, changes can be made directly to the Docker containers. Even in the release cycle, developers can test new features and implement changes by simply modifying existing containers instead of building from scratch. The flexibility that Docker offers is what makes the platform so flexible.

Developers can test and release images across a number of servers at the same time. Security patches can be deployed in a similar fashion. All developers need to do is apply the required patches, test for issues and release it to the production stage by modifying containers.

6. Security

Other than the sheer amount of scalability and flexibility Docker brings to the table, its security is an important backbone. Docker automatically ensures that any app running within containers are fully segregated from each other.

Developers have complete control over how traffic is managed by the apps. One Docker container cannot access or process data of another container by default. Containers have access to individual resources that they can make use of including network stacks and dependencies.

7. Isolated Environment

Docker isolates and segregates your apps and its resources. The platform ensures that each container has access to all the resources that it needs. Developers can implement multiple containers for separate apps and run them as individual stacks. You can also delete apps by removing its container and there will be no temporary files of configuration settings left behind in the OS. Most importantly, Docker apps only make use of the resources that have been allotted to them instead of getting complete access. This fully isolates the apps and offers unmatched security.

8. Cloud Technology

One of the primary advantages of docker is its portability. Enterprises over the years have been shifting towards cloud-based computing. Most popular cloud platforms like AWS and GCP have already adopted Docker’s extensive support. Developers can run containers within cloud-based platforms. Cloud-based environments also allow apps to be moved from one cloud service to another with ease.

Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and other tech giants have moved on to cloud-based infrastructure and all of them support Docker’s container system with just as much stability and consistency as end-user desktops.

D] Why Is Docker So Popular and Why the Rise of Containers?

Everyone has heard of Docker containers, but very few have been able to accurately justify its popularity. Before going deep into the platform’s popularity, one should note that there are other container platforms out there as well. Docker was neither the pioneer of container platforms nor is it the latest in the industry.

You can benefit from these Advantages of Docker Containers and unlock the full potential of your software development projects. If you’re ready to leverage Docker for streamlined deployment, improved collaboration, and efficient development cycles, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of experts is here to help you harness the power of Docker and achieve your development goals.

1. Open Source

Docker released in 2013 and it is still a very young technology when we compare it to other enterprise technologies that we have been using for more than a decade. Docker has always been open source which has attracted developers in the industry right from the start. Experts also state that if Docker launched in the late 2000s, its popularity would not have been what it is today.

The enterprises were far less interested in open source technology than it is today. They were simply looking for faster means of deploying apps and did not care if a platform was open source or not. Since the early 2010s, this mindset changed and Docker’s release in 2013 helped the platform cement itself.

2. The Fall of Virtual Machines

More importantly, during the early 2010s, virtual machines started falling out of favour in the software industry. Traditional virtualization options were available but they were not appealing enough to be picked up. The launch of Docker coincided with the DevOps revolution and the rest became history. For those unfamiliar with the DevOps revolution, it was a period in the early 2010s that saw a shift in the software industry. Developers started focusing on scalability and flexibility. Docker fit the bill perfectly and it helps developers build and deploy apps based on the prescripts set byDevOps.

Containers start and stop faster than any virtual machine can. They are also portable and are used in stable host environments. Moreover, it is much easier to scale containerized apps as code changes can be made very efficiently. Developers preferred using containers as it is very easy to break down complex apps into smaller modules and work on them.

3. Mirroring the Success Of Linux

Linux kernels started gaining popularity in the 1990s. What was once treated like a niche software project that was nothing but a pipe dream of a Finnish student, ended up becoming one of the most successful open-source operating systems of all time? Docker has a similar background and it shares its success story most likely mirrors that of Linux. Just like how Linux was obscure, Docker was nowhere near as pronounced as its competitors likeLXC. Yet, the features it offered and its open source nature contributed greatly towards its success.

Docker’s success is driven by its impeccable launch timing that allowed the industry to resolve its software deployment and delivery problems at once. The five years before Docker’s launch, developers were brainstorming ideas to address these issues but were unsuccessful at doing so. Older container frameworks did offer similar solutions but failed to grab the attention of developers as the industry was not concerned about flexibility and scalability as much in the 2000s.

Just like how Linux’s success was driven by its competition being in disarray, Docker achieved similar success by offering an innovative approach to development. A decentralized development strategy was welcomed by the industry with open arms and it led to Docker being the undisputed champion for container-based development.

4. Microservices

Docker excels in supporting microservices architecture by providing lightweight and isolated containers, simplifying continuous integration/ continuous deployment and scalability, ensuring resource conservation, enabling version control and restoration, and offering service isolation and vulnerability tolerance.

E] Tools And Terms Of Docker

Mentioned below are some essential tools and terms that are related to Docker:

Tools:

1. Docker Engine:

This is a core component of Docker that is responsible for creating and managing containers. It typically consists of Docker daemon and Docker CLI.

2. Docker CLI:

This is a command-line tool that is used to interact or affiliate with Docker. With the help of this tool you can construct, run, manage, and troubleshoot containers.

3. Docker Compose:

This program is used to define and operate multi-container Docker applications. It uses a YAML (yet another markup language)file to configure the networks, services, and volumes required for your application.

4. Kubernetes:

Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that is open-source and was originally constructed for internal use at Google. This tool helps to automate and schedule tasks that are essential to the management of container-based architectures, such as container deployment, storage provisioning, load balancing, updates, service discovery, health monitoring, and more.

5. Docker Registry:

A Docker registry is a scalable open-source Docker image storage and distribution mechanism that enables users to easily keep track of image versions in storage by tagging them. Additionally, a version control tool is also used to manage and track changes to the images.

Terms:

1. Docker Image:

It is a self-contained, executable package that is typically used in a container. A Docker image is a binary containing all the necessary components for executing a single Docker container and metadata indicating the container’s requirements and capabilities.

2. Docker File:

It is a text file containing instructions for building the Docker container image. DockerFile simplifies the process of creating a Docker image. It consists of aThe process includes the collection of command-line interface (CLI) instructions that Docker Engine will execute to carefully generate the image.

3. Docker Container:

Docker containers are live examples of Docker images that are operating. Docker images are read-only files, and containers are executable files with no life. Users can interact with them, and administrators can use Docker commands to change their settings and circ*mstances.

4. Docker Volume:

Among all the features of Dockers, this feature allows data to prevail beyond the lifecycle of a container. Also, volumes can be used to share data between containers and with the host systems.

#Conclusion

This sums up what is Docker, how it works, and the advantages of Docker containers. Docker is one of the best tools for development in the industry today, and its popularity is growing significantly. It is best suited for larger companies, and being open source, it is a flexible platform that can be used for the development of varied applications.If you’re looking for a Software development company that can provide assistance with Docker, we are here to help. With our expertise in software development and extensive experience with Docker, we can offer valuable support for your Docker-related needs

FAQs

What can I do with Docker?

With the help of Docker, you can create, deploy, and run applications in segregated containers, which makes it easier to manage dependencies and ensure similar environments across different systems.

What is Docker in DevOps?

Docker in Devops is a tool that makes it easier for deployment and scalability of the application, as well as enabling developers to test and debug code in a controlled environment. However, you can connect with Siddhatech for the best DevOps Consulting Services In India.

What are the big companies that use Docker?

As per recent reports, more than 62,000 companies have started using Docker, where some of the biggest companies like HCL Technologies, Infosys, Panasonic, and Amazon, use Docker.

What is the main difference between docker and container?

Although there are various differences between docker and container, one of the main differences is docker images are immutable, which means they can be edited once created. Containers, on the other hand, are mutable, which means they cannot be modified once created.

What is the difference between a Docker and a virtual machine?

Docker uses containerization to run applications with shared operating systems, whereas virtual machines run applications with separate operating system instances.

Is Docker open source and available for free?

Docker software is an open-source free system that can be operated for personal use, education, and small businesses carrying employees less than 250 and other non-commercial projects. However, it requires subscription models for MNCs and government entities.

What is Docker and Why is it So Popular? - Siddhatech (2024)