Docker vs Openshift: A Comprehensive Comparison

Docker and Openshift are two popular containerization platforms that help developers build, deploy, and manage applications. Docker is a lightweight containerization platform that allows developers to package and ship their applications in containers.

Docker containers are run on Docker Engine, which is available for various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Docker containers are isolated from each other and share the host operating system's kernel.

Openshift, on the other hand, is a cloud-native container application platform that provides a managed environment for deploying and scaling containerized applications. Openshift is built on top of Docker containers and Kubernetes, which is a container orchestration system.

Openshift provides a more comprehensive platform for deploying and managing containerized applications, including automated deployment, scaling, and resource management.

Docker is a containerization platform that allows developers to package, ship, and run applications in containers. Containers provide a lightweight and portable way to deploy applications.

Docker uses a layered file system to create a container, which is essentially a process that runs on the host operating system. This allows multiple containers to share the same operating system and libraries.

OpenShift, on the other hand, is a container application platform that provides a managed environment for deploying and managing Docker containers. It's built on top of Kubernetes, a container orchestration system that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containers.

Docker is a containerization platform that allows developers to package, ship, and run applications in containers.

Docker containers are lightweight and portable, making them ideal for deployment across different environments.

Docker uses a layer-based approach to store images, which are made up of multiple layers that can be easily shared and reused.

This approach makes it easy to build and manage images, and reduces the amount of storage space needed.

Docker containers can be created from a Docker image, which is a template for a container.

Images are built by combining layers, and each layer can be modified without affecting the other layers.

Docker containers can be run on any system that supports Docker, as long as the underlying operating system is compatible.

This makes it easy to deploy applications across different environments, such as development, testing, and production.

OpenShift is a cloud application platform that allows developers to build, deploy, and manage applications in a containerized environment. It's built on top of Docker containers and Kubernetes orchestration.

OpenShift provides a layered architecture that includes a foundation layer, a service layer, and an application layer. This architecture allows developers to build applications on a foundation of Docker containers and Kubernetes.

OpenShift supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, including Java, Python, and Ruby. It also provides a set of tools and services for building and deploying microservices-based applications.

Developers can use OpenShift to build and deploy applications in a cloud-native way, using a platform that's designed to take advantage of the benefits of containerization and orchestration.

Docker is one of the most popular containerization tools, especially for organizations just starting out with containers.

It has wide support for running Docker containers on all major cloud providers, making it a great choice for many teams.

Dev teams might not be as familiar with more specialized tools like OpenShift, which can be a barrier to adoption.

However, Docker doesn't support extra features like easier deployments, scaling, and better security, which is why orchestration tools are often necessary.

The features of this system are truly impressive. It has a robust and scalable architecture that allows for seamless integration with various data sources.

One of the standout features is its advanced data processing capabilities, which enable it to handle large volumes of data with ease. This is made possible by its powerful processing engine.

The system also boasts a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and perform tasks. This is achieved through its intuitive design and clear layout.

Another key feature is its ability to provide real-time analytics and insights. This is particularly useful for making informed decisions and staying ahead of the competition.

Its data visualization capabilities are also noteworthy, allowing users to easily interpret complex data and identify trends. This feature is especially useful for users who are not familiar with data analysis.

The system's security features are also worth mentioning, as they provide a high level of protection against data breaches and cyber threats. This is achieved through its robust encryption methods and secure data storage.

Openshift has a feature called imagstream that allows you to upload and manage container images without going through a registry, saving you time and effort.

On Openshift, you can use the integrated image registry to manage images, which is a convenient feature that's not available on Kubernetes. This registry can be used with Red Hat or Docker Hub.

Using an integrated image registry like Openshift's can simplify the process of managing container images, making it easier to keep track of your project's images.

Configuration and Setup is a breeze with Docker, thanks to its Quick and Easy Configuration feature that allows you to set up the system in the fastest and easiest way possible.

This feature enables you to deploy codes with minimal efforts and in less time, making it a huge time-saver for developers.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) is an essential practice in DevOps, ensuring that code changes don't break the application and integration challenges are minimized.

OpenShift emphasizes the importance of implementing end-to-end CI/CD pipelines, offering open-source tooling to code, test, and deploy programs into production.

CI/CD is an in-built function on OpenShift, but it's not a full solution, requiring third-party apps to build a pipeline.

Kubernetes and Docker don't provide comprehensive CI/CD tools out of the box, but they enable developers to automate their CI/CD pipelines.

OpenShift provides built-in CI/CD capabilities through its integration with Jenkins, GitLab, and other CI/CD tools, making it a great option for organizations that have already dockerized their applications.

Docker can be integrated with CI/CD pipelines using the Docker CLI, but it's a more manual process than using OpenShift integrations with the same tools.

Ansible and Docker play specific roles, but when used together, Ansible's playbooks and Docker's Dockerfiles provide greater control and configurability over servers.

In the world of configuration and setup, speed and efficiency are key. Docker's Quick and Easy Configuration feature allows you to set up the system in the fastest and easiest way possible.

This feature is a game-changer for developers, enabling you to deploy codes with minimal efforts and in less time.

Docker specializes in maintaining confidentiality in the swarm, keeping secrets in the swarm and choosing which secrets to allow access to.

Docker Swarm nodes implement TLS mutual encryption and authentication to protect what they communicate with each other, providing an extra layer of security.

Kubernetes security features require a more complex setup, lacking native authentication and authorization capabilities, and instead relying on third-party tools.

You need to configure your authentication safeguards in Kubernetes, creating bearer tokens or another method of authentication manually, which can be time-consuming and tedious.

OpenShift has strict security policies from the start, requiring a minimum of user privileges for even basic operations and limiting Docker Containers to run as simple images.

Docker has a more frequent update schedule, providing many tools including Docker Engine, Hub, Compose, and Docker for Windows and Mac.

OpenShift is an enterprise-grade container orchestration platform, designed to meet the needs of large-scale deployments. It's built on top of Kubernetes, which means it inherits many of its features.

One key difference between OpenShift and Kubernetes is that OpenShift offers a more comprehensive set of tools and features, including push-button automated node configuration, multi-host-container scheduling, and self-service provisioning.

Here's a comparison of OpenShift and Kubernetes in terms of their core features:

OpenShift also offers a more user-friendly interface, with a web console that allows for one-click login and a variety of templates for common use cases.

In contrast, Kubernetes is a more lightweight platform that requires manual setup and configuration. It's a great choice for smaller deployments or those who want more control over their container orchestration.

When it comes to updates, OpenShift and Kubernetes have different approaches. OpenShift receives multiple updates per year, but they are typically rolled out manually through the Red Hat Enterprise Linux management system. Kubernetes, on the other hand, receives multiple updates per year and supports rolling updates, which can be performed with a single command.

Overall, OpenShift is a more comprehensive platform that offers a wider range of features and tools, while Kubernetes is a more lightweight and flexible platform that requires more manual setup and configuration.

Docker and OpenShift both have their own set of benefits and advantages.

Kubernetes, the core kernel, is a container orchestration software that helps manage clustered groups of hosts running Linux containers. However, it requires more than just Kubernetes to build, deploy, run, and manage containerized applications at scale. Red Hat OpenShift provides a complete solution with a stable Kubernetes engine, robust security, and integrated capabilities.

OpenShift is designed to provide an enterprise user experience, focusing on everything an organization needs to orchestrate containers. It includes enhanced security options, full-time professional support, and integration with custom IT stacks, such as major public cloud providers and Red Hat products.

Here are some of the key benefits of Docker:

OpenShift, on the other hand, offers better out-of-the-box container security, includes Istio, the service mesh tool, and provides good customizability without adding complexity. It also simplifies containerized app deployments and management, and works seamlessly with Kubernetes to further enhance it.

Using Openshift can be a game-changer for developers, thanks to its extensive set of features designed to enhance your experience. You'll have access to the command line, developing tools, and even Multi Language support.

One of the standout advantages of Openshift is its top-notch security features. It has an in-built scanner to detect and prevent unauthorized access to controls, networks, and the registry.

Kubernetes is a cloud-native platform that helps your containerized apps take full advantage of cloud computing, making it a great choice for large-scale deployments.

Its self-healing capability improves reliability, ensuring that your applications are always up and running. Kubernetes is highly scalable, supporting up to 5,000 nodes in a cluster with HPA, VPA, and cluster autoscaler.

With Kubernetes, you can deploy and update secrets and app configurations without needing to rebuild container images or exposing secrets, making it a secure and efficient solution. It also allows for streamlined update rollouts.

Red Hat OpenShift provides a complete solution that includes a stable Kubernetes engine with robust security and many integrated capabilities required to operationalize a complete application platform.

Here are some of the key benefits of using OpenShift:

Docker is a lightweight and portable container management solution that supports good container scalability, making it ideal for mid-sized environments. It's also quite flexible, boosting interoperability and has a complete ecosystem for container management.

Kubernetes requires different plugins and services to function, making it not a stand-alone container management solution. However, it has a large community for support and keeping up with trends and developments.

OpenShift supports Docker images, allowing you to work seamlessly with them despite its Kubernetes-based architecture.

You can easily use Docker images on OpenShift, making it a great option for developers who are already familiar with Docker.

One of the biggest advantages of OpenShift is its ability to integrate with Docker, making it a powerful tool for containerized applications.

Docker allows you to store and package applications as lightweight container images, making them compatible with a wide range of environments like Google GKE, Amazon Elastic, and Azure Container Instances.

This flexibility is a major advantage, especially when you consider the variety of deployment environments available on Openshift, including Fedora, CentOS, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Native routes on Openshift are already configured to direct public traffic in containers, making it easier to manage traffic flow.

However, it's worth noting that Openshift's limitations on hosting on bare metals can restrict deployment possibilities for some businesses.

As a developer, you're likely to encounter issues with your projects, and knowing what kind of support to expect can make all the difference.

OpenShift offers dedicated customer service, support, and guidance, which is a big plus for those who need help 24/7. This is in contrast to Kubernetes, which is community-based and free, but doesn't offer the same level of support.

Kubernetes relies on the experience of other developers in forums, which can be a slower process. You may have to wait for your questions to be answered, which can be frustrating if you're on a tight deadline.

Fortunately, OpenShift has a team of Red Hat engineers ready to help you out, which can be a huge time-saver. They're available 24/7, so you can get the support you need whenever you need it.

If you're working with Docker images, you'll be happy to know that OpenShift supports them seamlessly, despite its Kubernetes-based architecture. This means you can work with Docker images without any issues or extra hassle.

When choosing between Docker and OpenShift, you'll need to consider your budget and what kind of support you need. OpenShift is a subscription-based, commercial product, while Kubernetes, which Docker uses, is free to use as an open-source project.

OpenShift's subscription includes a complete set of tools and dedicated support, which can be a big advantage for large organizations or those who need expert help. Community support is available for Kubernetes, but you may need to combine it with other third-party tools for specific tasks or operations.

OpenShift is a subscription-based, commercial product, whereas Kubernetes is free to use as an open-source project.

The main difference between them is that OpenShift offers a complete set of tools and dedicated support, which comes at a cost.

Kubernetes, on the other hand, relies on community support and often requires combining with other 3rd-party tools for specific tasks or operations.

Red Hat OpenShift and Kubernetes technology are built on Kubernetes clusters, which have a control plane and worker nodes. The control plane maintains the cluster's overall state, while worker nodes run production workloads.

Each worker node has its own Linux operating system and runs containers with software applications. Containers are the fundamental computing unit for both Red Hat OpenShift and Kubernetes.

Red Hat OpenShift is an open-source, enterprise-grade platform for container application development, deployment, and management. It's based on Kubernetes and comes in both commercial and free versions.

Developed by Red Hat, OpenShift supports Java, Go, Node.js, Python, PHP, and Ruby programming languages. It can be extended to support other languages and integrates easily with other DevOps tools.

Companies working with OpenShift look for an all-in-one platform with strict security policies, faster application deployment, and dedicated support. This makes it a very attractive solution for large-scale projects or smaller enterprises that lack dedicated resources.

Openshift has a feature called imagstream that allows you to upload and manage container images without going through a registry, saving you time and effort.

Kubernetes and Openshift have different approaches to deployment, with Openshift's method seeming more complex but offering added benefits like automatic deployment triggers.

Openshift uses a command for deployment, which doesn't support multiple updates, whereas Kubernetes uses deployment objects with controllers that can handle concurrent updates.

Kubernetes uses Helm, a set of YAML manifests, to simplify the deployment of containerized applications, which is a more straightforward approach than Openshift's templates.

Openshift's single pod deployments may not be effective in complex scenarios, whereas Helm charts provide a more sophisticated approach to deployment.

Containerized architecture can be complex, but understanding and controlling costs doesn't have to be.

Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting container cost data can be challenging, especially when using platforms like OpenShift, Kubernetes, or Docker. Most cost tools only provide total and average costs, not actionable details like cost per customer or feature.

CloudZero's cloud cost intelligence approach can help. It captures, analyzes, and shares immediately actionable cost insights across containerized and non-containerized infrastructure.

You can view your Kubernetes costs by concepts like cost per pod, node, or namespace, and business metrics such as cost per feature, service, environment, customer, team, and more. CloudZero also provides per-unit cost views, such as cost per customer, team, or deployment.

No perfect tags are required to get complete Kubernetes and containerized cost visibility. Allocate 100% of your cloud spend in minutes or hours, no matter how large and complex your containerized environment is.

CloudZero customers, such as Remitly and MalwareBytes, are already saving 6-10 hours weekly on managing costs. Drift is on track to save $4 million in AWS costs.

Here's a comparison of CloudZero's features: