Container technology is the default 2.0

Why do you need pods? Container technology is the default 2.0

Containers are indispensable in developing cloud applications. As a developer of open source based enterprise applications, VNC explains the advantages.

Thanks to the logical separation between hardware and software, virtualization has made IT more flexible and efficient. For many applications that run in hybrid, cloud, and multi-cloud environments, however, virtualization of a traditional application with hypervisors has its limits. The virtual machines in use are very large, very slow, and very demanding in terms of their resource requirements.

With containerized transport, pre-defined technology is already available. Containers, through their microservices and tablets, are the answer to the ever-increasing digitization of business processes. It is required for highly scalable real-time applications such as messaging or video conferencing systems that can only be operated with container technology. Here are other advantages:

• 1. Containers do not require a hypervisor or guest OS: Unlike virtual machines, containers interact with a complete runtime environment that includes all necessary tools, software libraries, and configuration files. It is completely defaulted to OS level. Use of the hypervisor is also no longer necessary. This saves resources (such as storage space), speeds up the entire process and increases the portability of applications.

• 2. Containers are small, agile, and modular: Unlike virtual machines, the containers are thin and seldom larger than 100MB. This gets them to start quickly, increases the load on the servers and allows the use of functional units, so-called microservices, within pods. This can be application logic or database service that can also be used in other containers and managed via Kubernetes. Automated load distribution also facilitates non-stop updates and upgrades.

• 3. Containers make applications highly scalable: Container based applications can be scaled up and down flexibly. At peak loads, for example with an impressive number of participants in a messaging tool or videoconferencing system, additional incubators are simply put into operation. The necessary additional resources can be used on demand and then shut down again – regardless of the specific platform.

• 4. Containers not restricted to service providers: Containers can be used independently of the IT infrastructure on which the software is hosted and the service provider that provides them. This allows for the use of mixed and multi-cloud scenarios and avoids vendor lockdown, as it opens the opportunity to change service providers at any time or use multiple service providers in a mixed manner.

• 5. DevOps containers make easier: The separation between development and operations can be overcome more easily with containers. Since it is hypothetical with respect to both the hardware and the operating system, it can not only be ported more easily to other devices, but it can also be more easily transported from test systems to production systems.

* Andrea Worlin is the managing director of VNC in Berlin and a member of the board of directors of VNC AG in Zug.

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