Released on 10 June 2014, a Docker is a container management tool used in DevOps to manage software parts as isolated, self-sufficient containers which can be deployed in continuous integration and continuous delivery.
Docker containers are unable to operate by themselves, they are rather dependable on a DevOps professional to build, run, and assign them. DevOps professionals are additionally needed to automate processes and technologies so that the software is able to deploy to the Docker containers in a continuous flow.
The goal of DevOps is to demonstrate value to clients by creating the shortest sustainable lead time between planning to the delivery of new features, improvements, and fixes ranging from months to years’ timescale or weeks to days’ timescale, with frequent production deployments.
In order to achieve this goal, organizations need to perform highly advanced techniques that have been pioneered by technology giants. A step-by-step approach is required to reduce IT friction by first automating, then containerizing, and finally cloud enabling your IT infrastructure. If the infrastructure can be moved to AWS or Azure, the docker will close the gap between far-off servers and developers. In case, it cannot be moved to the cloud, the Docker provides Enterprise solutions to build your own private cloud.
By using the Docker, developers can now support new developments, enhancements, and support tasks easily. Docker containers define the exact versions of software in use, this means that we can decouple a developer environment from the application that needs to be serviced or enhanced. Over time, as software versions change and evolve, all a developer needs to do is dock a particular container to their environment, so they can easily work on the task at hand without having to install or uninstall software or deal with multi-gigabyte VM files. Meanwhile, new developers can utilize other effective modern tools for the job, and a high level of confidence in delivery is established. This is due to the fact that developers, testers, as well as the production environment will use the same exact configuration, which will aid in maintaining the weeks and days’ timescale production deployments.
How does this fit into DevOps
- Developers do not have to worry about setting up specific development environments every time, instead they can streamline their efforts towards building good quality codes which can ultimately lead to better, faster, and efficient development results.
- Within the IT system-admin operations section, the docker sysadmins can help by setting up environments that replicate a production server and can clone them as per the requirement.
- Docker has been utilized in manifold DevOps applications such as chef, vagrant, ansible & puppet for the sake of automating the provisioning and deployment of these environments.
Here’s a brief example above to showcase how a docker can fit into DevOps.
Docker Deployment and its usage
The Dockers self-sufficient containers allow rapid configuration of preset environments, even if it is required only for a quick POC. It is a valuable tool in every software house that aims for streamlined and organized development work. The Docker helps a developer code faster and aids in deploying apps at a faster pace, which is extremely beneficial to organizations and firms today due to an accelerated dynamic environment and time-crunching project deliverables. Dockers provide a way to build enterprise and line-of-business applications that are easier to assemble, maintain, and move around other than their conventional counterparts.
CIGNEX has implemented fully functional solutions using the docker framework and tools for leading organizations in the Healthcare and Insurance verticals. The solution utilized comprises of "Docker Enterprise" a clustering and scheduling tool for containers providing high availability & scalability along with Consul for service discovery across multiple runtime platforms, cloud providers & regions.
Being a major player & expert in varied solutions of DevOps & Cloud Infrastructure services, CIGNEX can help organizations such as yours by building resilient systems & cost effective solution ensuring great ROI & stability. Learn how.
