Containers and virtual machines are two ways of running applications to save resources. Here we’re going to look at the difference between the two, pros and cons, and how to choose between them.
Virtualization is a technology that enables you to run virtual machines in a single physical server. Each virtual machine can run an app with its own independent operating system. You can think of each one as a mini virtual computer all linked through a hypervisor to a physical server (like one of those old computer towers).
Virtual machines are useful in many scenarios, here we bring you three in which virtualization is beneficial:
Containerization is when applications are packaged up into lightweight, portable, individual containers to make them faster and more agile. The containers have everything an app needs to run. This includes libraries, frameworks, binaries, and dependencies. What they don’t have is an independent operating system. Instead, they’re linked to one shared operating system.
Think of it like a room that has everything that you need to live in: a bed, TV, books, a stove, a fridge, and so on. But it doesn’t have an electrical switchboard to control the electricity. So when the power goes out, there’s nothing you can do until someone else sorts it out.
Containers are becoming increasingly popular. An IBM survey showed that 61% of people had used containers in at least 50% of applications in the past 2 years.
They’re useful in many situations, here we’ve highlighted three use cases:
When should you go for a virtual machine over a container? Let’s break down the pros and cons of both.
| Virtual Machines | Containers | |
| Performance | Can be slower but are more dynamic | Very fast and easy to adjust |
| Security | Highly secure as each machine is isolated | Less secure - multiple containers can be impacted by one operating system being compromised. |
| Scalability and Flexibility | It can be expensive to scale and virtual machines are more rigid | Easy to scale and highly flexible |
| Cost Efficiency | Since they take up more space, they’re more expensive. They’re still cheaper than physical systems. | Highly cost-efficient as they don’t use hardware resources. |
Virtual machines are slower than containers, they’re a full stack system that take time to build. They also process information slower than containers which are lightweight, agile, fast, and easy to change.
However, since they’re essentially a virtual computer, virtual machines are more dynamic and can be interactively developed.
Containers are linked to a single hardware system. So, if one container is exploited, it could affect all of them via the shared hardware. However, virtual machines run independently so even if one is hijacked, the others aren’t at risk.
Virtual machines are fixed, so scaling them is more difficult and can be expensive. If you move them to the cloud then they become a bit easier, but migration also poses challenges. Containers occupy less space, and they’re much easier to scale. They can also be run over multiple environments, making them highly flexible.
Each container holds the resources for one application. They use little data, so they are cost-effective. Virtual machines can be several gigabytes. So, they can get heavy and take up a lot of space. This makes them more expensive.
When deciding between virtualization and containerization, you need to consider your priorities.
Virtual machines are the way to go if you want a highly secure system with a lot of control over your application’s environment.
However, if you want to speed up your development, release improvements, or scale your applications quickly, containers are best for you.
At StratusGrid we use our knowledge of AWS and cloud computing to improve your cloud environment. From migration to cost optimization, we’re here to help you.
Book a call to discuss your current infrastructure and your vision of the future, we’d love to help you get there.