In today’s evolving software development landscape, containerization technology has emerged as a key tool for developers aiming to enhance efficiency and ensure consistency across environments. Among the various container technologies available today, Linux Containers (LXC) and Docker are two of the most popular choices. Understanding the differences between these technologies is crucial for developers to select the right tool that aligns with their specific project needs.
This blog post delves into the LXC vs. Docker virtual environments, exploring their functionalities and helping you make an informed decision.
What is LXC? Linux Containers, or LXC, is an advanced virtualization technology that utilizes key features of the Linux kernel to create lightweight and efficient isolated environments for running multiple applications on a single host system. This technology uses Linux kernel features, such as cgroups (control groups) and namespaces, to manage system resources and provide process isolation.
What are Docker containers? Docker offers a comprehensive platform and suite of tools that has revolutionized how applications are developed, shipped, and run. It is built upon the concept of containerization, simplifying it to such an extent that it has become synonymous with containers. One key difference is that you can basically run windows image and software if you need inside Docker containers, which on LXC you can’t because it strongly relies on Linux kernel and cgroups.
