Introduction:-

Containers are very critical to application development. A container is a standard unit of software that packages up code and its dependencies so the application can run smoothly and reliably from one computing environment to another. They are used for maintaining consistency across various platforms within the app development life cycle and thus, they are gaining more and more popularity among the developers. Developers code in the local environment and then move it to production. However, a piece of code that worked fine on a developer’s machine might not work in production. The reasons are varied; it could be due to the difference in dependencies, and user libraries. 

This is where containers come into action. Above all, They simplify the portability of the code by allowing developers to separate it from the infrastructure on which it runs. In other words, containers provide developers with greater control over products compared to conventional means of virtualization. Because of their negligible footprint, they enable quicker development of apps and improves scalability. 

Do you know, containers need to be coordinated and scheduled. Above all, The performance of these applications needs to be monitored too. Moreover, the tech market has witnessed many new solutions for the same. Kubernetes and Docker are the most popular amongst them. 

The basic difference between both of them is, Docker behaves as a platform for containerization and Kubernetes is a container orchestration system for Docker. Therefore, In this blog, we will be aiming to perform a comparative study of two of the seemingly different, yet similar solutions and find out which is best. 

So, Let’s start the blog and compare Docker vs Kubernetes.

What is Kubernetes?

Kubernetes is a container orchestration software designed and Above all, This is developed by Google in 2014 and maintained by Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Moreover, The system is open-source and used for automating the below-mentioned processes in containerized applications:-

• Deployment
• Scaling
• Management

Above all, The flexibility and reliability of this application management tool are very helpful in the management of complicated applications running on various servers in different physical and cloud-based environments.

Kubernetes has been designed to simplify workload scalability using containers. This is especially important if you want to define how applications need to run and interact with each other.

Various Components of Kubernetes:-

Pods:- Container groups placed on the same node. Moreover, Pods in Kubernetes clusters are created, scheduled, and deployed together. 

Services:- Used for pod group nomenclature. Moreover, Services in Kubernetes clusters behave as load balancers for traffic to be directed to run containers.

Replication Controllers:- Purpose designed to make sure a certain number of Pod replicas in Kubernetes clusters are scheduled and running. Above all, Replication controllers are the essential frameworks in the system.

Labels:- Key-value tags, labels are assigned to Pods, Services. Moreover, Replication Controllers in Kubernetes clusters to identify the same.

What are the Key Features of Kubernetes?

Kubernetes has been known to be the most complicated containerization tool. However, the same has been rendered and made user-friendly via multiple upgrades in recent times. This software is not capable of extensive version control and easier application distribution and deployment. 

Below are a few of the most important features of Kubernetes:-

• Ability to self-heal and therefore, more efficient
• Enterprise-ready elements
• Moreover, Auto-scalability of infrastructures
• Declarative configuration
• Moreover, Features like automating scheduling, rollouts, and rollbacks are also available
• Predictable infrastructure creation
• Above all, Load balancing and horizontal scaling feature
• Application-centric management
• Software deployment and updating at scale
• Moreover, A high density of resource utilization
• Environment consistency to develop, and test. Moreover, they produce containers

What is Docker? 

Docker is also an open-source containerization system like Kubernetes but is very lightweight as compared to Kubernetes. Moreover, Over the years, its popularity has soared in the cloud and containerized application packaging and distribution. Above all, This orchestration system enables the automation of application deployment in portable and lightweight containers. 

Above all, This software is primarily used for virtualization at the system level. Moreover, Docker enables users to run multiple operating systems on a single virtual host via clustering of various Docker hosts. 

The most important aspects of Docker are listed below:-

• Engine:- The runtime needed to build and thus run application containers.
• Image:-  A static and portable component built using a Docker file that runs on the Docker Engine.
• File:-  Used to build Docker containers to be run using Docker Engine. Moreover, It has all the things needed to run a Docker Image including network specification of the operating system, and file locations.
• Hub:-  A Docker service that allows one to store and share Docker images.

Components of Docker Swarm:-

Manager Nodes:-  In a Docker Swarm, Manager nodes include Control Orchestration, Task distribution. Moreover, they also help in Cluster Management.

Worker Nodes:- Functions in a worker node in a Docker Swarm include running the containers and services the Manager Node assigns. 

Services:-  These components in a Docker Swarm includes the blueprint description needed by the discrete containers. Moreover, they distribute themselves across the nodes.

Tasks:-  Single containers in a Docker Swarm place their work on slots known as tasks.

Features of Docker:- 

Docker has been developed on the below-mentioned 4 cornerstones:-

• Above all, A Docker universal control panel that acts as a single interface to deliver powerful UX.
• A single failure point to form a resilient architecture.
• Existing components with backward compatibility.
• Moreover, Auto-generated certificates for security.

Based on its built-up, Docker comes with the following essential features:- 

• Isolated environments for application management.
• Above all, Ease of modeling and version control.
• Placement and Affinity
• The agility of applications.
• Productivity for developers
• Operational efficiency

Docker Vs Kubernetes: Table of Comparison

Parameters	Kubernetes	Docker
Developer	Google	Docker INC
Year of Release	2014	2013
Cluster Setup	Simple, in two commands	Bit complicated
Installation	Complex, and therefore, time-consuming	Very easy and quick
Auto-Scaling enabled	Yes	No
Cluster Length	Weaker	Strong
Load-balancing	Manual	Automated
Data volume	Storage volume shared with all containers	Storage volume is shared between different containers in a single pod
Scalability	Slow	Fast
Logging and monitoring support	In-Built	Using the third-party
Optimization target	For multiple, smaller clusters	For single, large clusters
Cluster Length	Weaker	Strong
Cluster Length	Weaker	Strong
Node support	Up to 5000	2000>
Container limit	300000	95000
Slave	Node	Worker
Github starts	64.5 k	56.7 k
Github forks	22.9 k	16.4 k
Compatibility	More comprehensive and customizable	2000>
Community	Support from open source communities such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM	Regular software updates via active user base
Public cloud service provider	Google, Azure, AWS	Azure
Tolerance ratio	Low	High
Speed for large containers	Is not an issue with container deployment and scaling	Is an issue with strong cluster states
Updates	Clusters upgraded in place	Agent updated in place

Some Pros and Cons of Kubernetes:- 

Here are some of the top pros of using Kubernetes.

Pros of Kubernetes:- 

• Open-source and therefore, customizable
• Simplified organization of service using pods
• Upholds immutable infrastructures principles
• Moreover, Very reliable, as developed and maintained by Google
• Runs on any operating system
• Above all, Multiple storages options including on-prem SANs and public cloud
• Container orchestration tool with the largest community

Cons of Kubernetes:- 

• Above all, Cluster deployment is manual and complex
• Migration to stateless is a bit complicated
• Installation and configuration is also complicated
• Incompatible with existing Docker tools
• Functionality is limited therefore it is completely dependent on Docker API availability
• The setup of automatic horizontal scaling is also complicated

What are the Pros and Cons of Docker? 

Here are some of the significant advantages and disadvantages of using Docker containers.

Pros of Docker:-

• Open-source software
• Lightweight installation
• Easy container version tracking
• Isolated application
• Above all, Speedy running of an app in a virtual environment
• Quick booting of virtual machine
• Moreover, The application life cycle can be described in details
• Supports existing tools
• Documentation for detailed information
• Docker-compose for a single configuration
• Moreover, Initial set up is very easy and uncomplicated
• Discrepancy identification between prior versions

Cons of Docker:-

• Moreover, no storage options
• The monitoring option is not up to the mark
• Cluster deployment is manual and therefore, complicated
• They do not support the health check
• Moreover, Every action needs to be performed on CLI
• Something complicated basic infrastructure handling
• Moreover, Automatic rescheduling of inactive nodes is not possible
• Set up of automatic horizontal scaling is also a bit complicated
• Production, monitoring, healing, and scaling requires support from other tools
• Critical components such as Docker Engine and Docker Desktop are also not open-source

Taking a Closer Look at the Difference Between Docker vs Kubernetes:-

Both container orchestration tools have been developed to limit hardware usages and save resources. Both are tremendously helpful when it comes to business resource management. However, Kubernetes and Docker display some differences that cannot be neglected. Let’s have a closer look at those differences between Docker vs Kubernetes.

Graphical User Interface:-

Above all, Kubernetes is best for those who are fussy about their dashboards. Moreover, The GUI can be leveraged without restrictions to control clusters. This is especially helpful when you are a bit non-tech-savvy. On the other hand, Docker is known for enabling easy management of UI using third-party tools.

Logging and Monitoring:-

Meanwhile, Kubernetes comes with built-in tools for logging and monitoring to analyze failures via past logs and keeping an eye on the health of containerized nodes. Whereas, Docker doesn’t have this ability because of the lack of built-in tools. Instead, it makes use of third-party tools for the same.

Installation and Cluster Configuration:- 

Kubernetes installation is comparatively easy in a testbed. However, running it at scale would need some more effort. On the other hand, Docker leverages CLIto run programs.  Above all, A single set of tools can help in easy configuration.

Load Balancing:-

Meanwhile, Kubernetes need to define container pods as services to permit load balancing. Additionally, manual configuration of settings is also required. Further, only certain pod sets offer access to services.

Docker, on the other hand, comes with built-in features for load balancing. This involves a common network where containers of the same cluster can join and enable the connection of all nodes to all containers.

Container Building and Running:- 

Above all, Kubernetes comes with its API, YAML definitions, and client, which are way above their standard Docker equivalents. However, new containers can be built using a single command of one Docker CLI. 

Final words: Which is Better – Docker Vs Kubernetes?

From this very comparative blog, It is clear that Kubernetes is a better container orchestration solution as compared to Docker. The latter lags behind when it comes to fulfilling the demands of the open-source community. Kubernetes, on the other hand, has gained popularity due to quick evolution with positive updates.

It is not only functionally superior but also technically more advanced than Docker. Moreover, Kubernetes enables better health checking at the Pod level along with more effective container scheduling and scaling. This also offers namespaces with role-based access controls. 

So that’s it for Kubernetes vs Docker. If you have any questions then feel free to share them at [email protected].