Cloud Foundry vs Docker Cloud: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the key differences between Cloud Foundry and Docker Cloud. Both Cloud Foundry and Docker Cloud are popular platforms used for deploying and managing applications in the cloud. However, they have distinct features and functionalities that set them apart from each other. Let's explore their differences in more detail.

1. Deployment Model: Cloud Foundry uses a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) model which abstracts away the underlying infrastructure and provides a ready-to-use platform for deploying and running applications. On the other hand, Docker Cloud primarily focuses on containerization using the Docker platform. It allows users to deploy containerized applications on different infrastructure providers or their own infrastructure.

2. Application Packaging: In Cloud Foundry, applications are packaged as source code or buildpacks and then deployed to the platform. The platform then takes care of building and running the applications. In contrast, Docker Cloud enables users to package applications as Docker images, along with their dependencies and configurations. These Docker images can be easily deployed and run on any system with Docker installed.

3. Flexibility and Portability: Cloud Foundry offers a high level of flexibility and portability as it abstracts away the underlying infrastructure. Applications can be easily moved between different Cloud Foundry installations with minimal changes. Docker Cloud, on the other hand, provides even greater flexibility and portability as it utilizes Docker containerization technology. Docker images can be run on any system with Docker installed, making it easier to move applications across different environments.

4. Container Orchestration: Cloud Foundry has built-in support for application scaling and orchestration. It can automatically scale applications based on demand and distribute requests across multiple instances. Docker Cloud, on the other hand, relies on external tools like Docker Swarm or Kubernetes for container orchestration. It provides integration with these tools to manage and scale containers effectively.

5. Infrastructure Management: Cloud Foundry abstracts away the underlying infrastructure and provides a unified interface for managing applications. It supports multiple infrastructure providers like AWS, Azure, and OpenStack. Docker Cloud, on the other hand, focuses more on container management and relies on external infrastructure providers. It integrates with various cloud providers to deploy and manage containers.

6. Community and Ecosystem: Cloud Foundry has a large and active community with a wide range of community-built services and plugins. It has a strong ecosystem of vendors that offer commercial support and services. Docker Cloud also has a vibrant community and ecosystem, but it is more focused on Docker containerization technology. It benefits from the large Docker community and the extensive Docker Hub repository of pre-built images.

In summary, Cloud Foundry and Docker Cloud have different approaches to application deployment and management. Cloud Foundry offers a complete platform for managing applications using a PaaS model, while Docker Cloud focuses on containerization with Docker. Both platforms provide flexibility and portability, but Docker Cloud offers more freedom to deploy applications on any system with Docker installed.