Containers and virtual machines (VMs) are virtualization technologies that enable the execution of applications in isolated environments. In other words, they are computing environments that combine various IT components and keep them separate from the rest of the system.
However, as an IT professional, you must be aware that there are significant differences between these two technologies. Therefore, it’s important to compare the pros and cons of containers vs. VMs to understand how to orchestrate these resources in your organization.
For instance, while virtual machines virtualize an entire machine, reaching down to the hardware layers, containers virtualize only the software layers above the operating system level.
Continue reading to better understand the differences between these two technologies and determine the best solution for your team’s needs!
💡Learn more: What is hyperautomation, and what are the benefits for complex operations?
Containers
A container consists of a package of software code that includes an application’s code, its libraries, and other dependencies. This makes applications portable and easy to deploy and manage, allowing the same code to run on any device.
This lightweight form of virtualization enables the execution of applications in isolated environments. In other words, containers are a good option for portable applications that don’t require many resources.
Pros of using containers:
Check out the advantages of using containers:
- Portability: Containers can run on any platform that supports the container runtime. This makes them an attractive option for applications that need to run in various environments, such as public and private cloud environments;
- Efficiency: They are more efficient than virtual machines (VMs) because they share the host operating system’s kernel. This means that containers require fewer resources from the host operating system, leading to cost savings;
- Scalability: They can be easily scaled to meet load demands. Therefore, they are a good choice for applications that need to scale quickly;
- Ease of Deployment and Management: Containers are easy to deploy and manage, making them a better fit for organizations without dedicated IT resources.
Cons of using containers:
Now, take a look at the disadvantages:
- Security: Containers are less secure than VMs because they share the host operating system’s kernel. Therefore, a malicious container can impact other containers or the host operating system.
- Isolation: The isolation between containers is not as strong as the isolation between VMs. As a result, a malicious container can access the resources of other containers.
- Complexity: Containers can be complex to manage in large environments, potentially requiring the deployment of a container orchestration system.
Virtual Machines
A virtual machine is a digital copy of a physical machine that enables the execution of an entire operating system in an isolated environment. VMs are robust software packages, allowing the complete emulation of low-level hardware devices such as CPU, disk, and network devices.
When considering containers vs. VMs, keep in mind that VMs are a good option for applications that require many resources or need to be isolated from other applications, as well as those that need to run on a specific platform.
Pros of using virtual machines:
Among their advantages, we have:
- Security: VMs provide complete isolation between operating systems, making them a more secure option than containers. This means that a malicious operating system in a VM cannot affect other operating systems or the host.
- Isolation: The isolation between VMs is stronger than between containers. In other words, a malicious VM cannot access the resources of other VMs.
- Resources: Virtual machines can provide more resources for applications than containers. Therefore, they are a suitable option for applications that require many resources, such as database or real-time data processing applications.
- Portability: They can run on any platform that supports the hypervisor. This makes them well-suited for applications that need to run in various environments, including public and private cloud environments.
Cons of using virtual machines:
Finally, the disadvantages of virtual machines:
- Performance: VMs may have lower performance than containers because they require more resources from the host operating system. This is because VMs need to run the hypervisor, which is additional software that consumes resources.
- Complexity: They are more complex to manage than containers, as they require more configuration and maintenance.
Container and VM Orchestration
Orchestration is the process of managing and automating the deployment, scaling, and maintenance of containers and VMs.
Various orchestration systems are available, such as Kubernetes, Docker Swarm, and Nomad. They provide a variety of features for orchestrating containers and VMs, including:
- Automation: Orchestration systems can automate common tasks, such as deploying containers and virtual machines.
- Scalability: These systems can scale containers and VMs to meet load demands.
- Monitoring: They can also monitor containers and VMs to ensure they are functioning correctly.
Containers vs. VMs: Can they be used together?
A common approach is to use containers to run applications that do not require many resources or need to be portable. VMs are used to run applications that require many resources or need isolation from other applications.
In this way, an organization can use containers to run specific web or backend applications. Simultaneously, VMs can be used to run database applications or real-time data processing applications that require more resources.
Another approach is to use containers within virtual machines. This can be done to achieve the isolation and security of VMs with the portability and efficiency of containers.
Containers vs. VMs: Understand your business needs!
Containers and VMs are powerful virtualization technologies that can be used to run applications in isolated environments. Choosing the right technology depends on the specific needs of the application.
As you have seen throughout this article, if the application is portable and does not require many resources, containers are a good choice. If the application requires many resources or needs to be isolated from other applications, VMs are the better choice.
Orchestration systems can help manage and automate the deployment, scaling, and maintenance of containers and VMs.
We hope this content has been helpful to you. Stay tuned to our blog and take the opportunity to check out the guide we’ve prepared on RPA in IT.
