Kubernetes and Docker are two popular technologies that are often mentioned in the same breath when it comes to containerization and container orchestration. However, despite their close association, Kubernetes and Docker are not the same thing. Understanding the differences between the two is key to making informed decisions about your technology stack and approach to containerization.

Docker is a platform for building, shipping, and running distributed applications using containers. Containers are a way to package an application and its dependencies into a single, portable unit that can be run on any system. Docker provides a simple and efficient way to build, package, and deploy applications as containers. This makes it easy to standardize and automate the deployment of applications, ensuring that they run the same way everywhere.

Kubernetes: https://kubernetes.io/

Kubernetes, on the other hand, is an open-source platform for automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. It provides a way to manage and orchestrate containers, making it easier to deploy, scale, and manage applications in a production environment. Kubernetes provides a number of key features and capabilities, including automatic scaling and self-healing, service discovery and load balancing, and rolling updates and rollbacks.

Also Read: Eksctl 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Setting up an EKS Cluster

So while Docker is a tool for building and running containers, Kubernetes is a tool for managing and coordinating the deployment, scaling, and management of those containers. In practice, many organizations use both technologies together, with Docker containers being deployed and managed on a Kubernetes cluster.

It’s worth mentioning that Kubernetes is not the only platform for managing containers. Other popular options include Docker Swarm, Rancher, and OpenShift. However, Kubernetes has emerged as the de facto standard for container orchestration, due to its robust feature set, strong community support, and wide adoption by organizations of all sizes.

In conclusion, while Docker and Kubernetes are often mentioned in the same context, they are not the same thing. Docker is a platform for building and running containers, while Kubernetes is a platform for managing and coordinating the deployment, scaling, and management of those containers. By understanding the differences between the two, organizations can make informed decisions about their technology stack and approach to containerization.