Containers vs Virtual Machines
Tags: programming, tutorial, docker
Published: 2022-04-30 14:48:54

**Containers**
Containerization is a mechanism for deploying workloads that are efficient, performant, and dense across private, public, and multicloud environments (Intel, n.d).

**What are containers?**
A container is a stand-alone, executable unit of software that contains everything needed to run an application, including code, runtime, system tools, and system libraries. Containers can operate a program, a workload, or a specialized task and have defined parameters (Intel, n.d).

Consider shipping containers as a basic comparison to help you understand containers. A lot of cargo can be packed into a single container, and a lot of shipping containers can be packed into a single vessel or distributed between numerous boats. Specialized containers can also be used for specific workloads, similar to how a refrigerated shipping container might be used to convey a specific sort of cargo. Intel (n.d).

Containers' only limitation is that they are dependent on the kernel of their host system. A Linux container can only run on a Linux host, whereas a Windows container can only run on a Windows host, and so on. (OSs). Intel (n.d).

**Virtual Machines**
A virtual Machine (VM) is a compute resource that runs programs and deploys apps using software rather than a real computer. On a physical "host" machine, one or more virtual "guest" machines run. Even while running on the same host, each virtual machine has its own operating system and acts independently of the others. This means that a virtual MacOS virtual machine, for example, can run on a physical PC. (n.d., What is a Virtual Machine.) Virtual machine technology is utilized in both on-premises and cloud environments for a variety of applications. More recently, public cloud services have begun to leverage virtual machines to distribute virtual application resources to several users at the same time, allowing for even more cost-effective and flexible computing. (What is a Virtual Machine, n.d).

**What is the purpose of virtual machines?**
Virtual machines (VMs) allow a company to run an operating system in an app window on a desktop that behaves like a whole independent computer. Virtual machines (VMs) can be used to meet various processing power requirements, execute software that requires a different operating system, or test programs in a secure, sandboxed environment.  (What is a Virtual Machine, n.d).


Server virtualization, which allows IT teams to consolidate computer resources and enhance productivity, has traditionally used virtual machines. Virtual machines can also do operations that would be too dangerous to perform in a host environment, such as accessing virus-infected data or testing operating systems. Because the virtual machine is isolated from the rest of the system, the virtual machine's software is unable to interfere with the host computer. (What is a Virtual Machine, n.d).


**Virtual machines vs. Containers**
Virtual machines (VMs) are stand-alone computing environments that are separated from hardware, similar to containers. Unlike containers, virtual machines (VMs) require a full copy of an operating system to run. Virtual machines (VMs) have several advantages, such as the ability to emulate a different operating system than the host system. You can run a Linux OS in a VM if your host machine runs Windows, and vice versa. Because VMs are more fully insulated computational systems, they provide even more isolation and data security. Intel (n.d).

VMs, on the other hand, take far longer to boot and run than containers because they are effectively self-contained systems with their own operating system. Containers are also more portable, as a complex workload may be divided into several containers that can be distributed across multiple systems or cloud infrastructures. You can, for example, deploy workloads across many containers to on-premise hardware and a public cloud service, all from a single orchestration dashboard. Containers scale more successfully than VMs due to their mobility. Intel (n.d.).

**References**

1. Intel(n.d). Containers and the cloud. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/cloud-computing/containers.html
2. What is a Virtual Machine.(n.d).https://www.vmware.com/topics/glossary/content/virtual-machine.html