Kubernetes (sometimes referred to as K8s) is a popular open source platform that orchestrates container runtime systems across a cluster of networked resources. Kubernetes can be used with or without Docker.Although Docker and Kubernetes are often used together, the two serve different roles in IT environments — and Docker containers aren't the only option for Kubernetes deployments. The emergence of containers spawned exciting possibilities for software development and workload operations across the modern enterprise.Even though using Docker with Kubernetes is a common practice, it does not mean that Kubernetes cannot function without Docker. Though it does need a container runtime, it doesn't always need to be Docker. You can use any other container runtime with Kubernetes to get the job done.
When to use Kubernetes instead of Docker : Docker and Kubernetes are two different technologies with different use cases. You use Docker Desktop to run, edit and manager container development. You use Kubernetes to run production grade applications at scale.
What is replacing Docker
Podman is an open-source containerization tool and Docker alternative with daemonless architecture, rootless containers, Kubernetes integration and drop-in compatibility with Docker CLI commands. It is ideal for security-conscious developers working with Kubernetes who are familiar with Docker workflows.
Is Kubernetes easier than Docker : While Docker is a containerization platform, Kubernetes is an orchestration tool used to manage multiple containers. Docker provides a simple and efficient way to create and deploy containers, while Kubernetes provides more complex functionality for managing containers at scale.
Docker is great for developing web applications, but if your end-product is a desktop application, then we would suggest you not to use Docker. As it doesn't provide the environment for running the software with a graphical interface, you would need to perform additional workarounds.
Docker is a popular tool for creating, deploying, and running containers. However, there are other ways to use containers. Some other tools and technologies can be used to manage and work with containers, such as Kubernetes, rkt, LXC, and LXD.
Is Kubernetes harder than Docker
Installation, configuration, and learning curve
Docker Swarm is simple to install compared to Kubernetes, and instances are usually consistent across the OS. It is easier to learn than Kubernetes, and works with the existing CLI. Configuring a cluster in Docker Swarm is easier than configuring Kubernetes.On the other hand, on Dec 2, 2020, Kubernetes announced that they would deprecate Docker Runtime and instead use Container Runtime Interface.Moreover, if your application stack is simple, not distributed, or doesn't require advanced features like auto-scaling, self-healing, and service discovery, Kubernetes might be an overkill. Its complexity and overhead may lead to more problems than solutions.
Although Docker is not needed as a container runtime in Kubernetes, it still has a role to play in the Kubernetes ecosystem, and in your workflow. Docker is still going strong as a tool for developing and building container images, as well as running them locally.
Why is Docker being deprecated in Kubernetes : With the release of Kubernetes v1. 20 in 2021(!), Docker was officially dropped as a supported CRI implementation. Instead, Kubernetes encourages the use of CRI-compliant runtimes such as Containerd and CRI-O, which better align with the CRI requirements and offer enhanced features.
Why is Kubernetes so difficult : The major problem with Kubernetes is that it's architecture is designed for scale, it was originally built by Google to manage large clusters at scale. It is highly distributed by design, with microservices at its core.
Why I don’t use Docker
Docker can add complexity and overhead, and it is not always compatible with legacy or specialized software. Additionally, Docker containers are not isolated from the host operating system, so a security breach in one container could potentially affect other containers on the same host.
Without docker, this means that each environment that the application runs on (local dev environment, a test or production server) needs to be configured with the correct versions of these services so that application can run properly. As a result, docker should avoid the typical “works on my machine” cases.In the 2024 Kubernetes Benchmark Report, Fairwinds analyzed more than 330,000 workloads, reviewing data from hundreds of organizations. The latest report shows Kubernetes users have significantly improved workload efficiency and reliability, though areas for improvement remain.
What is the biggest problem with Kubernetes : 15 Common Kubernetes Pitfalls & Challenges
- Deploying Containers With the “Latest” Tag.
- Not Using Liveness and Readiness Probes.
- Broken Pod Affinity/Anti-Affinity Rules.
- Forgetting Network Policies.
- No Monitoring/Logging.
- Label Selector Mismatches.
- Service Port Mismatches.
- Using Multiple Load Balancers.