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Optimized management with Docker: everything you need to know about the Docker container


Do you want to manage and run applications and websites in an optimized way? You should consider using Docker containers . This famous open source platform has become in recent years one of the virtualization software for container management most loved by thousands of users in the world.

This technology, discovered by mistake by Solomon Hykes, allows today to interconnect applications and websites without the need to use various platforms, avoiding compatibility problems and all those variables that can negatively affect the workflow and, therefore, the performance of a company .

In fact, Docker has come to new lives to allow you to build and manage applications in different work environments, solving all those technical problems that arose in the past during the development phase .

As you may have noticed, management software is extremely useful to developers and that is why, in this article, we have decided to tell you in detail what Docker is, how it works, why you should take advantage of the advantages offered and when to implement it in your business. .

What is Docker?

Now, first of all it is necessary to explain what Docker is. It is an open source software platform that makes it quick and easy to build, test, and deploy applications . Thanks to its technology, it offers users the possibility of packaging in standardized units, that is, containers, including all the necessary resources so that the software can be executed (libraries, codes, execution time, etc.).

In a nutshell, Docker can be defined as an operating system for using Linux containers. Thanks to its open source community, this technology is always being updated to further benefit users by providing the best possible experience.

To give you a more concrete example, with Docker, users can run the WordPress content management system on Windows, Linux and macOS systems without registering any kind of inconvenience or conflict between the different types of programming languages used.

Before continuing with the article, we have to specify one thing. Docker is not a virtual machine. While the purpose of both may seem similar, each offers different performance, operating system compatibility, and portability. The main difference between the two is that Docker shares the host operating system, while virtual machines provide the ability to use a guest operating system, which affects the performance and functionality of the hardware.

How does docker work?

This container provides users with a standardized way to run an application's code. It then becomes a container, that is, a kind of virtualized machine, which does not require direct administration, because it virtualizes the containers and the server hardware .

Therefore, Docker must be installed on each server, thus integrating simple commands for creating, starting and stopping containers . Its technology uses the Linux kernel and all related features, such as control groups and namespaces, to split processes and run them independently. In this way, containers can be used to take full advantage of the entire infrastructure while maintaining high levels of security that characterize individual systems.

On the other hand, we must underline that Docker provides a per-image deployment model in order to quickly and easily share applications or sets of services depending on the environment used. That is why the technology that is based on Docker offers the possibility of automating the deployment of applications in different containers.

Likewise, it is important to point out that, being Linux containers , Docker technology allows users to have access to an endless number of applications, while being able to implement them with full control of all their versions and distributions.

For you to better understand how it works, we have to tell you that Docker has four main components:

  • Docker client : It is the main element for the creation, management and execution of applications.
  • Docker server : manages the images and containers after the requests made by the Docker client;
  • Docker images : they can be downloaded from different websites such as Docker Hub and indicate to the server the requirements that must be met to create a container. If you don't want to download images, they can create custom images;
  • Docker Registry : It is an open source application that is on the server that must be used to host and distribute the images. That is why the registry is useful for storing images locally, having full control over them.

Why use Docker?

Today, there are different types of containers. However, one of the most famous is Docker because it allows you to create codes faster, while providing the ability to standardize application execution operations and freely transfer codes.

In fact, Docker is particularly appreciated by many companies because a single object can be reliably executed anywhere because Docker is software that can be executed in all environments without having compatibility problems. But this does not end here because this container software has other characteristics of its own that make it used by many businesses in the world.

Standardization of operations

As we have mentioned before, Docker allows to standardize the operations facilitating the implementation, identification of problems and return to previous phases in case of need.

fast transfer

On the other hand, this type of container can store applications that can be transferred from local computers to other devices in the blink of an eye.

economic savings

Finally, we cannot fail to point out that Docker offers the possibility of executing more than one code for each server, improving its use and saving companies money.

When to use Docker?

Docker containers can be used in different ways depending on the specific needs of each company. To give you an example, Docker can be implemented as the main building block during the creation of modern applications and platforms.

In fact, it is generally used by developers to write code locally and then share it with team members via Docker containers so that the application is in a compatible environment for automated and manual testing.

Likewise, as soon as errors are detected, the technical team can solve them by carrying out various tests, returning to old versions if necessary. This type of workflow allows businesses to improve their performance because all the necessary administrative tasks can be done quickly and efficiently.

That said, it's no surprise that Docker is deployed as container management software to test new software without having to do manual installation, to better understand Linux system administration (command interface and scripts). On other occasions, it is often used by IT teams to reduce the risks of incidents due to software failure, since it is possible to quickly make changes to the Docker image by importing the backup copy.

Now, the ones we have just given you are examples, but it should be noted that this container management system can be used in specific areas of work, as we are going to show you below.

microservices

Docker is ideal for microservices because it offers the ability to build and scale application architectures using standardized code built into containers.

Data processing

If your company is dedicated to data processing, you are going to need Docker because it makes all the tools for big data processing available. Indeed, with Docker containers you will be able to run package data and analysis packages quickly without having to have any technical knowledge.

Integration and deliveries

In addition, Docker allows you to speed up the delivery of standardized applications across environments, reducing the likelihood of conflicts between language packs and versions.

container as a service

Finally, Docker is often used to create and ship applications in containers and infrastructure managed and protected by IT technologies.

Conclusion

The world of software development has changed a lot in recent years, so developing applications and websites is a real challenge for companies, especially what has to do with their proper functioning in different environments.

Although in the past there were very often compatibility problems , this has been solved with Docker containers, a very useful technology to simplify the management of applications and websites. Indeed, developers use it to create sandboxes during software execution, eliminating compatibility or operating system dependency issues.

It is not surprising, therefore, its enormous popularity in the technology sector. Its portability, security, possibility of automation and continuous updates make Docker the ideal technology for companies that want to speed up application deployment.