Openvz vs Docker

Can you tell me what is the difference between Docker and OpenVZ? Which one is better on Linux system?

Both are Os virtualization - software defined virtualization. All hosted virtual instances are run by a single operating OS kernel. This means there is no flexibility for the clients to run the OS they need.

Well in terms of virtualization you can not really differentiate between OpenVz and Docker , Docker is way advanced than OpenVz. OpenVz is to just virtualize a dedicated server , where as Docker has a virtualization concept however its an automation thing which helps you to deploy the virtual instances with installed apps using either docker community image or free image. Docker has to 2 versions , one of them is PAID version however their free edition is way advanced too. Docker is basically used to deploy and host the application instances which has pre-defined configurations and it is mostly used to develop apps as it provides easy administration , updates , changes for such apps.

OnaDavney said:

Can you tell me what is the difference between Docker and OpenVZ? Which one is better on Linux system?

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@24x7CSM is totally right, there is no reason to compare OpenVZ and Docker because their features and possible usages are not the same.

OpenVZ is a container virtualization solution, similar to LXC/LXD, which provide the ability to host several isolated containers running a full linux distribution on the same host.

Main usage : providing virtual servers hosting on dedicated servers with isolated containers

When Docker is a lightweight container virtualization solution built "to develop, deploy, and run applications with containers" like Docker.com explain it in its documentation. Docker cannot be used (isn't intended) to run a full linux distribution in a container, but only a single application.

Main usage : running applications inside containers on almost all platform to isolate each service inside a container (most of time, Docker containers are running inside virtual machines powered by KVM, XEN, or VMWARE)

OnaDavney said:

Can you tell me what is the difference between Docker and OpenVZ? Which one is better on Linux system?

Click to expand...

Hello OnaDavney,

Docker is a new container virtualization technology for Linux that offers better performance and resource isolation than OpenVZ and provides a more efficient way to package and deploy applications. OpenVZ is an existing container technology that has been around for longer. Docker is better on a Linux system because it provides a more efficient way to package and deploy applications. On the other hand, openVZ is better on a Windows system because it has been around for longer and is more established.

Docker and OpenVZ are two different containerization technologies with their own advantages and disadvantages. Both can be used to run multiple isolated Linux systems on a single physical server, but they differ in how they achieve this. Docker uses namespace technology to isolate its containers from each other and the host system. It also uses its own union file system, allowing it to share files between containers without needing a separate volume for each container. It makes Docker very efficient in terms of disk usage.

On the other hand, OpenVZ uses hardware virtualization technology to provide isolation between containers. It does not have its own file system, so each container has its own private volume. As a result, it makes OpenVZ less efficient in terms of disk usage, but it has some advantages in terms of performance.

Docker does not require a full virtualization stack like OpenVZ. Docker containers can run on any Linux server without installing a separate virtualization layer. OpenVZ is a container virtualization technology for Linux that offers good performance and resource isolation. It uses a full virtualization stack and requires the installation of a separate virtualization layer. OpenVZ containers can only run on servers that have this virtualization layer installed. Which one is better? Both Docker and OpenVZ offer good performance and resource isolation. However, Docker has the advantage of being able to run on any Linux server without the need for a separate virtualization layer. It makes it the better choice for most users.

Ultimately, OpenVZ provides better performance than Docker because it uses fewer resources overall. So, which one is better? It depends on your needs. If you need maximum efficiency in terms of disk usage, Docker is the better choice. But, on the other hand, if you need maximum performance, OpenVZ is the better choice.

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Regards,
harry_v

Docker and OpenVZ are both containerization technologies that allow you to run applications in isolated environments on a single host system. However, there are some significant differences between the two.

Docker is a popular containerization technology that uses a layered file system and a container runtime to create and manage containers. Docker containers are designed to be portable and lightweight, making them easy to deploy and manage across different environments. Docker also provides a range of tools for building, managing, and sharing container images, and has a large community of users and developers.

OpenVZ, on the other hand, is a containerization technology that uses a modified Linux kernel to create and manage containers. OpenVZ containers share the host kernel and system libraries, which makes them less resource-intensive than traditional virtual machines. However, this also means that OpenVZ containers are less isolated than Docker containers, and there may be some compatibility issues with certain software and applications.

In terms of which one is better for a Linux system, it really depends on your specific use case and requirements. Docker is generally considered to be more flexible and easier to use than OpenVZ, and is well-suited for a wide range of applications and use cases. OpenVZ, on the other hand, may be more suitable for applications that require low overhead and high performance, but may have some limitations in terms of software compatibility.

Docker and OpenVZ are both containerization technologies that can be used to run applications in isolated environments on a single host system. However, they have some differences that may make one technology more suitable than the other for certain use cases. Here are some general guidelines on when to use Docker and when to use OpenVZ:

Use Docker when:

1. You need to deploy applications quickly and efficiently across different environments, such as development, testing, and production.
2. You want to run multiple applications or services on the same host system, and you need to ensure that they are isolated from each other.
3. You want to use a wide range of operating systems and software stacks for your applications, as Docker provides a flexible and portable platform for running and managing containers.
4. You want to leverage the large and active Docker community, which provides a wealth of resources, tools, and documentation for using Docker.

Use OpenVZ when:

1. You need to run applications that require low overhead and high performance, as OpenVZ containers are designed to be lightweight and efficient.
2. You want to run multiple instances of the same operating system and software stack on a single host system, as OpenVZ containers share the same kernel and libraries, which reduces the amount of resources required.
3. You have a good understanding of Linux system administration and kernel tuning, as OpenVZ requires some knowledge of these topics to optimize container performance.
4. You are running an application that is compatible with OpenVZ, as certain software and applications may have compatibility issues with OpenVZ containers.

It's worth noting that these guidelines are not exhaustive, and there may be other factors to consider when choosing between Docker and OpenVZ. Ultimately, the choice will depend on your specific needs, resources, and expertise, and it's important to evaluate each technology carefully before making a decision. Ultimately, the choice between Docker and OpenVZ (or any other containerization technology) will depend on your specific needs, resources, and expertise. Both technologies have their pros and cons, and it's important to evaluate them carefully before making a decision.

OpenVZ and Docker are both virtualization technologies, but they have different approaches and use cases.

OpenVZ is an operating system-level virtualization technology that allows for the creation of multiple isolated Linux containers, each with its own file system, network settings, and system resources. OpenVZ is designed to run multiple instances of the same operating system, such as multiple instances of CentOS or Debian. OpenVZ containers are lightweight and efficient, as they share the kernel of the host operating system, but they cannot run different operating systems.

Docker, on the other hand, is an application-level virtualization technology that allows for the creation of containers that can run multiple operating systems, as long as they are based on the same kernel. Docker containers are designed to run a single application or service and provide a way to package an application and all its dependencies into a portable container that can be deployed on any system that supports Docker.

I have used OpenVZ a lot in the past and still use it somewhat now, although less. I have never used Docker however I am eager to try it out very soon. I have heard and read a fair amount about it and I know its popular. On face value and based on what I've read I would lean towards docker, just seems to be the direction people are moving. I also wonder if the russian origin of OpenVZ could become an issue in the future, you know with Ukraine and all that.