Containers have truly transformed the way we develop, deploy, and manage modern applications. But what makes them so special, and how can you harness their power to streamline your software workflow?
In this post, we’ve compiled a variety of resources about containers from the product experts at Scale Computing who through video presentations, the written word, and even a superhero comic series, show you how to maximize the efficiency and reliability of your containerized applications.
Perhaps the best way to get a handle on the ins and outs of containers is to spend 30 minutes watching Scale Computing’s VP of Product Strategy, Dave Demlow explainer: “Containers and How to Leverage to Make Life Easier” which he presented at the most recent Platform 2024 event in Las Vegas.
In his session, Dave breaks down the complexities of container management, discussing how containers enable automation at scale, and gives a demo of container orchestration for both Docker and Kubernetes.
One common point of confusion about containers is understanding the trade-offs between running containers inside VMs versus on bare metal. Dave highlights one of the key advantages of using VMs for container isolation and portability, which are especially crucial in large-scale environments. Of course, containers are valued for their flexibility, and Dave elaborates on the role of Kubernetes as a container orchestrator, capable of managing multiple containers across various nodes as well as popular Kubernetes distributions including K3s, MicroK8s, and Google Anthos.
Scale Computing’s SC//Insights is another invaluable resource for customers and partners to learn about the many interconnected technology components that power today’s edge computing and virtualized environments. Here you’ll find a wide number of practical articles on container usage, tutorials on setting up and managing Kubernetes clusters, and expert tips for optimizing performance and ensuring security in containerized applications.
If you’re still new to containers, the What is Kubernetes? Insights page is a logical place to start as it details the core components of Kubernetes, including nodes, pods, and services, and how they all work together to orchestrate complex applications. It goes on to explain how by abstracting the underlying infrastructure, Kubernetes allows developers to focus on application performance and scalability instead of dealing with the complexities of hardware management and manual deployment processes. This abstraction enables developers to streamline their workflows, enhance productivity, and ensure that applications run smoothly and efficiently across diverse environments.
For a deeper understanding of the difference between the two most popular container technologies and how to effectively leverage them, check out the “Kubernetes vs Docker” page which explains the distinct yet complementary roles each one plays. An open-source platform designed to simplify the deployment, scaling, and management of applications within containers, Docker enables developers to build, ship, and run applications consistently across different environments.
Kubernetes, on the other hand, is a container orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications across clusters of nodes, ensuring efficient resource utilization and seamless scaling. Whereas Docker is ideal for smaller-scale deployments and local development, Kubernetes excels at complex, production-grade environments where scalability, resilience, and automation are crucial.
And for a more whimsical take on containers, you can download the second installment of our EdgeSlayer comic book series “The Code Conundrum”. In this latest edition, our IT heroes face a relentless enemy: a tangled web of application deployment complexities, ever-evolving cybersecurity threats, and the constant pressure to maintain application uptime.
These challenges often arise from the need for advanced tools like Kubernetes to manage sprawling container clusters. While Kubernetes is powerful, it adds another layer of configuration and learning for already overburdened IT teams. The EdgeSlayer story vividly illustrates this struggle but also offers a path forward. By running containers directly on VMs within SC//HyperCore, redundancy is seamlessly achieved at the infrastructure level. This approach allows the real-world heroes of IT to spend less time troubleshooting complex container orchestration and more time focusing on strategic initiatives that drive business value.
To learn how the SC//Platform can help you get the most out of your containers, request a demo and speak to a technical specialist!
