Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
Docker Swarm vs Flocker: What are the differences?
Introduction
When it comes to container orchestration, Docker Swarm and Flocker are two popular choices in the DevOps world. Each comes with its set of features and advantages, making them suitable for different use cases. In this comparison, we will highlight the key differences between Docker Swarm and Flocker to help you choose the right tool for your container management needs.
Architecture: Docker Swarm follows a centralized architecture where a manager node manages and schedules tasks on worker nodes. On the other hand, Flocker has a decentralized architecture where every node can act as a coordinator, leading to a more distributed approach to container management.
Data Management: Flocker is designed specifically for stateful applications and provides built-in support for managing persistent data volumes. Docker Swarm, on the other hand, focuses more on stateless applications and relies on external volume drivers for managing data persistence.
Scalability: Docker Swarm is designed for scalability and can handle a large number of nodes and containers, making it suitable for large-scale deployments. Flocker, although scalable, may require more configuration and fine-tuning to achieve the same level of scalability as Docker Swarm.
Networking: Docker Swarm provides built-in networking capabilities, allowing containers to communicate with each other seamlessly within the cluster. Flocker, on the other hand, relies on external plugins for networking, which may require additional configuration and maintenance.
High Availability: Docker Swarm comes with built-in support for high availability by replicating services across multiple nodes to ensure continuous uptime. Flocker, while it supports high availability through data replication, may require more manual configuration and monitoring to achieve the same level of reliability.
Vendor Support: Docker Swarm is developed and maintained by Docker, a leading container platform provider, which ensures regular updates, support, and integration with other Docker tools. Flocker, on the other hand, is an open-source project that may rely more on community support and third-party integrations for updates and compatibility with other technologies.
In Summary, Docker Swarm offers centralized architecture, scalability for large deployments, built-in networking, and high availability, while Flocker provides decentralized architecture, specialized data management for stateful applications, and may require more manual configuration and maintenance.
Hello, we have a bunch of local hosts (Linux and Windows) where Docker containers are running with bamboo agents on them. Currently, each container is installed as a system service. Each host is set up manually. I want to improve the system by adding some sort of orchestration software that should install, update and check for consistency in my docker containers. I don't need any clouds, all hosts are local. I'd prefer simple solutions. What orchestration system should I choose?
If you just want the basic orchestration between a set of defined hosts, go with Docker Swarm. If you want more advanced orchestration + flexibility in terms of resource management and load balancing go with Kubernetes. In both cases, you can make it even more complex while making the whole architecture more understandable and replicable by using Terraform.
Our whole DevOps stack consists of the following tools:
- GitHub (incl. GitHub Pages/Markdown for Documentation, GettingStarted and HowTo's) for collaborative review and code management tool
- Respectively Git as revision control system
- SourceTree as Git GUI
- Visual Studio Code as IDE
- CircleCI for continuous integration (automatize development process)
- Prettier / TSLint / ESLint as code linter
- SonarQube as quality gate
- Docker as container management (incl. Docker Compose for multi-container application management)
- VirtualBox for operating system simulation tests
- Kubernetes as cluster management for docker containers
- Heroku for deploying in test environments
- nginx as web server (preferably used as facade server in production environment)
- SSLMate (using OpenSSL) for certificate management
- Amazon EC2 (incl. Amazon S3) for deploying in stage (production-like) and production environments
- PostgreSQL as preferred database system
- Redis as preferred in-memory database/store (great for caching)
The main reason we have chosen Kubernetes over Docker Swarm is related to the following artifacts:
- Key features: Easy and flexible installation, Clear dashboard, Great scaling operations, Monitoring is an integral part, Great load balancing concepts, Monitors the condition and ensures compensation in the event of failure.
- Applications: An application can be deployed using a combination of pods, deployments, and services (or micro-services).
- Functionality: Kubernetes as a complex installation and setup process, but it not as limited as Docker Swarm.
- Monitoring: It supports multiple versions of logging and monitoring when the services are deployed within the cluster (Elasticsearch/Kibana (ELK), Heapster/Grafana, Sysdig cloud integration).
- Scalability: All-in-one framework for distributed systems.
- Other Benefits: Kubernetes is backed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), huge community among container orchestration tools, it is an open source and modular tool that works with any OS.
Pros of Docker Swarm
- Docker friendly55
- Easy to setup46
- Standard Docker API40
- Easy to use38
- Native23
- Free22
- Clustering made easy13
- Simple usage12
- Integral part of docker11
- Cross Platform6
- Labels and annotations5
- Performance5
- Easy Networking3
- Shallow learning curve3
Pros of Flocker
- Open-Source4
- Easily manage Docker containers with Data3
- Easy setup2
- Great support from their team2
- Multi-host docker-compose support2
- Only requires docker2
Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions
Cons of Docker Swarm
- Low adoption9
Cons of Flocker
Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions
What is Docker Swarm?
What is Flocker?
Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
What companies use Docker Swarm?
What companies use Flocker?
Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions
What tools integrate with Docker Swarm?
What tools integrate with Flocker?
Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions
Blog Posts
+33