Updated April 12, 2023
Difference between OpenShift vs Docker
OpenShift is a popular Linux based Cloud technology that is Open Source and managed by RedHat corporation. OpenShift is a Paas (Platform as a service) that runs above the existing cloud services offered by AWS, Google Cloud Platform, etc. The developers describe docker as a container platform for enterprise applications that are requiring rapid innovation velocity. It enables the organization to use and build their existing legacy projects with seamless integration and sharing. It also ensures that the application is running with adequate security measures. It comes under the category of Virtual Machine Containers and Platforms in the tech stack.
OpenShift and Docker in Detail
OpenShift and docker are explained below:
OpenShift
OpenShift, being a Paas (Platform as a service) can be used just like it’s counterparts like Google Compute platform, Amazon web services, Microsoft Azure, etc., in terms of its usage. It also supports the developers by making the development and testing workflow of the applications much easier by ensuring that the developers do not have to worry about switching between the physical and the virtual servers whenever required. Thus, it helps to increases the productivity and efficiency of the existing application workflow with reduced maintenance costs. It also uses containers that use functionality units via cartridges, which are a set of hooks written using shell scripts called when the system invocation is called. It also defines an API through which a broker, also known as coordinator, communicates with the corresponding nodes (servers hosting multiple tenant containers), which invoke the container’s endpoints.
Docker
It is Caas (Container as a service) which is used for building and seamlessly integrating legacy projects enabling organizations to achieve high-velocity innovations. It encourages the concept of DevOps methodology through CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Development). Thus, the developers can integrate their code into a shared repository as early as possible and deploying it quickly and efficiently. Thus, the local development setup behaves like a live server. It comes up with integrated developer tools. Also, the virtual machine image is openly accessible and shareable. The applications developed on it can be reused and are shareable. It is open-source and available on Github.
OpenShift and Docker can be used hand in hand in a single customer application workflow. As OpenShift is PaaS (Platform as a service), it can be used over an existing cloud service that is deployed on the Docker Enterprise platform, which is Caas (Container as a service). This reduces the setup cost on the part of the customers and increases the efficiency and the productivity of the existing application workflow as both are open-source technologies. This also ensures the scalability of the existing application workflow. Also, as both of the technologies form an integral part of the cloud platform, they can be used independently.
Head to Head Comparison between OpenShift vs Docker (Infographics)
Below is the top 10 difference between OpenShift vs Docker:
Key differences between OpenShift vs Docker
Let us discuss some of the major differences between OpenShift vs Docker:
- Tech Stack Category: OpenShift falls under Paas (Platform as a Service) category, while Docker falls under the Virtual Machine Containers and Platforms category in the tech stack.
- Container: OpenShift includes a runtime container along with the REST API, coordination, and web interfaces which are used to deploy and manage the individual containers, while Docker is only using runtime containers for deploying projects. Both OpenShift and Docker are using kernel isolation features for keeping the tenant processes separate in runtime containers. Docker achieves this by using LXC, while OpenShift uses SELinux and MCS (Multiple Category Security). To reduce CPU, memory, and I/O usages by the tenant processes, both OpenShift and Docker use groups. The OpenShift is primarily focusing on LXC for reducing the long-term effort involved.
- File Storage and Transfer: Docker uses the concept of AUFS for advanced disk and file copying along with write while sharing. On the other hand, OpenShift does not require it, nor it is incompatible with such systems.
- Container Orchestrating Platforms: OpenShift is using Kubernetes internally for Container Orchestration while Docker is using Docker swarms.
- Functional Units: OpenShift models functional units via the concept of cartridges which are basically hooks written using shell scripts that get called during the invocation of system call. On the other hand, Docker achieves the same by using docker images but to achieve this, behind the scenes, a lot of things have to be done manually.
OpenShift vs Docker Comparison Table
Below are the topmost comparisons between OpenShift vs Docker:
|
OpenShift |
Docker |
| It is used as Paas (Platform as a Service). | It is used as Caas (Container as a Service). |
| It uses runtime containers along with REST API, web APIs, and coordinator interfaces. | It uses runtime containers only. |
| It does not require nor is incompatible with AUFS. | It uses the concept of AUFS for advanced disk and file copying along with write while sharing. |
| It uses Kubernetes as a container orchestrating platform. | It uses Docker swarms as a container orchestrating platform. |
| It models functional units (web interfaces) via cartridges. | Docker achieves the same using Docker images, but additionally, a lot of things have to be done manually. |
| Developers recommend OpenShift for its good free plan. | Developers recommend Docker for its rapid integration and build up. |
| There are comparatively fewer stars and forks on its open-source Github repository. | There are more stars and forks on its open-source Github repository, thus making it more popular among the developer community. |
| There are comparatively less company and developer stacks using it. | There are comparatively more company and developer stacks using it. |
| Hazeroid, Vungle, and Accenture are some of the companies using it. | Twitter, Spotify, and Pinterest are some of the companies using it. |
| It is well documented. | The documentation is not always in sync. |
Conclusion
OpenShift and Docker, both being open-source, go hand in hand with each other or can be used independently. Both technologies are popular and widely used across the globe. With both technologies’ pros and cons, the organization can choose either of them in conformance with their requirements.
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