Docker Platform

What is a Docker?

Docker is a containerization tool that stores everything as images and applications. Using this, we can minimize the normal concerns like dependencies, clashes, and incompatible environments that are a difficulty for distributed applications in which we need to install or upgrade numerous nodes with the same configuration.

Benefits of Docker

• Cost Savings for Infrastructure​
• Standardization and Productivity
• Isolation​
• Security​
• Improves app lifecycle efficiency and consistency.​
• Continuous Testing and Deployment​
• Scaling on demand​
• Platform Support for Multiple Clouds

Docker Components

• Docker Client: Communicates with Docker.
• Docker Host: An environment containing the Docker daemon, containers, images, networks, and storage.
• Docker Daemon: Controls Docker components and handles API calls.
• Docker Registry: A repository for Docker images that is frequently used in conjunction with Docker Hub.

What are the many platforms on which Docker can run?

• Linux
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Azure
• Amazon EC2
• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
• Google Compute Engine

Working of Docker

• Docker uses a client-server architecture for container management.
• The client can run locally or connect remotely to the daemon.
• Interaction via the REST API over a UNIX socket or network.
• The daemon executes container duties as specified by the client.

Why do we use Docker?

Docker can be used to bundle an application and its dependencies, making it lightweight and easier to release code faster and more reliably. Docker makes it simple to run applications in a production environment. If the Docker engine is installed on the machine, the container can be platform-independent.

Advantages of Docker

• Cross-platform Consistency: Docker makes development easier by ensuring consistency across environments.
• Serverless Storage: Docker is highly efficient in the cloud, removing the need for large server farms.
• High-speed build and deployment: Docker's stacked containers allow for rapid automation and deployment.
• Flexibility and Scalability: Docker allows for language freedom and easy scaling for optimal performance.

Disadvantages of Docker

• Outdated Documentation: Documentation is out of current due to Docker's rapid development, making it difficult to access useful information.
• Steep Learning Curve: Docker transformation takes a long time and effort because of its complexity and regular updates.
• Security Concerns: Docker's shared OS poses security vulnerabilities, necessitating additional isolation techniques.
• Limited Orchestration: Unlike Kubernetes, Docker lacks robust automation and requires third-party management solutions.