What is the difference between Docker and VM?

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#1 Mon, 08/03/2015 - 07:42

vaishnavi7

What is the difference between Docker and VM?

Docker containers are in buzz now a days. However, I am very confused with the exact practical difference between virtual machines and Docker containers. can anyone help me with the exact distinguishing features for both technologies?

#2 Mon, 08/03/2015 - 10:41

andreychek

Howdy,

The short answer is that docker uses containers, rather than a full blown Virtual Machine. That means it uses less resources. The entire server doesn't need to be virtualized.

I believe Docker used to use Linux Containers (LXC), I think it's using a different form of container now.

There's some discussion from a couple of years ago here on the differences you're asking about:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16047306/how-is-docker-io-different-f...

#3 Mon, 08/10/2015 - 06:47

AjitK29

One thing that needs to be established is LXC or Docker can ONLY be installed on 32-bit Linux.. So while Docker is great, that is a problem for some, like our Apps only work on 64-bit Linux due to memory usage.

#4 Mon, 08/10/2015 - 10:28 (Reply to #3)

andreychek

Howdy,

Hmm, I don't believe that's correct actually. Both Docker and LXC run well on a 64 bit system.

In fact I'm looking at a 64 bit system now running Docker.

If you saw problems running those in a 64 bit environment, it's possible something else was going wrong at the time.

-Eric

#5 Tue, 08/11/2015 - 18:20

jimdunn

Check out CoreOS, it's a complete 64-bit linux operating system with docker built in

https://coreos.com

Or...

RancherOS is a 20mb Linux distro that runs the entire OS as Docker containers

https://github.com/rancher/os

#6 Mon, 08/31/2015 - 05:36

vaishnavi7

thanks andreychek that link helped and thanks others too for your replies although it was not what i was expecting but it addep up to my knowledge, I got my answers here https://www.esds.co.in/forums/showthread.php?t=5076

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