10 Quick Facts About Docker Container Virtualization

10 Quick Facts About Docker Container Virtualization

By Sean Michael Kerner

Solomon Hykes Created the Project

Solomon Hykes launched the Docker project in March 2013 and currently serves as the CTO of Docker Inc.

Ben Golub Is CEO of Docker

Docker Inc. is the lead commercial sponsor behind the open-source Docker project. Ben Golub serves as the CEO of Docker Inc., which has raised $26 million in funding to date.

Docker Containers vs. the Virtual Hypervisor Model

In the Docker container model, the Docker engine sits atop a single host operating system. In contrast, with the traditional virtualization hypervisor mode, a separate guest operating system is required for each virtual machine.

Docker Hub Has More Than 14,000 Apps

While Docker is still a relatively new technology, more than 14,000 applications have been dockerized and are available for server administrators to deploy. The central location for finding Docker applications is on the Docker Hub.

Docker Hub Has Free and Paid Options

The Docker Hub has free options that will enable any software developer to host public repositories. For those who want to host their own private software repositories, Docker Inc. offers paid options.

Docker Is Supported in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7

One of the strongest backers of the Docker container technology is Linux vendor Red Hat. Docker is now a fully supported technology within the new Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (RHEL) operating system, which was released June 10.

Project Atomic Aims to Make Docker Easy to Deploy

In addition to support on RHEL, Red Hat is leading the open-source Project Atomic community in an effort to build a complete platform for Docker app deployment.

Boot2Docker Enables Docker on Mac OS X and Windows

Docker Inc. now also supports the boot2docker project, which provides Windows and Mac OS X installation options for a Docker Host.

CoreOS Is a High-Availability Docker Host Operating System

Another option for those looking for a Docker host operating system is the open-source CoreOS Linux project, which is backed by venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital.

Microsoft Embraces Docker

Microsoft is now in the Docker camp as well, announcing support for the open-source container virtualization technology running on the Microsoft Azure cloud. Docker is also supported by IBM SoftLayer, Amazon and Rackspace for cloud deployments.

Learning How to User Docker Online

For those who just want a small taste of what Docker is all about, there is a free online interactive tutorial.