For automating the creation, deployment, and scaling of containers, some tools are used that are known as container management tools. Both LXD and Docker are container management tools that are quite popular and work efficiently in managing containers to develop and run applications. Though one might think of only their similarities as they both belong to the same category they differ in many aspects. Let us see what aspects they differ in so that the developers choose the right tool for developing and managing their applications.
What is LXD?
LXD stands for Linux Container Hypervisor, which is an open-source container management extension for Linux Containers (LXC). It is also known as an image-based platform as it provides images for a wide number of Linux distributions. It was developed by Canonical Ltd. It can also integrate with cloud platforms, such as OpenStack. The daemon, the REST API, and the command line are the main parts of LXD.
Features of LXD
- It has a powerful command-line interface (CLI) with high scalability.
- It provides live migration of running containers between hosts.
- It has improved control over computing resources with high-security features.
Benefits of LXD
- It is used for container-based virtualization.
- Its focus is not only on virtualization but the Linux system image also serves as the basis for each LXD container.
- It supports the creation of computer clusters.
Drawbacks of LXD
- This tool is difficult to use.
- Documentation needs improvement.
- The task of copying system containers from one machine to another is not an easy one.
What is Docker?
Docker is a platform that is deployed as a Container as a Service (CaaS). It was developed by Docker Inc in 2013 and is written in Go programming language. It encourages the concept of DevOps methodology through Continuous Integration/Continuous Development. This platform allows the user to build, test, and deploy applications quickly.
Features of Docker
- Here codes can be deployed with less effort and in less time.
- Increasing productivity.
- It has lower costs.
Benefits of Docker
- It is highly scalable.
- It is very easy to move and maintain the applications in Docker.
- It has a flexible resource-sharing system.
Drawbacks of Docker
- To manage unused images is a difficult task.
- It lacks supporting enterprise-level applications.
- The retention policy is not developer friendly.
Difference between LXD and Docker
| Parameters | LXD | Docker |
|---|---|---|
| Developed by | It is developed by Canonical Ltd. | It is developed by Docker Inc. |
| Definition | It is like an Operating System Virtualization. It uses System Container. | It is like an Application Virtualization. It uses Application Container. |
| Integration | It can be integrated only with OpenNebula and OpenStack. | It can be integrated with tools like Kubernetes, Jenkins, and Ansible. |
| Platform | LXD only runs on Linux. | Both Linux and Windows can run Docker. |
| Ease of Use | It is not an easy-to-use platform as it is not considered a good container option for beginners. | It is an easy-to-use platform as it is well documented. |
| State Management | It supports persistent data. | It does not support persistent storage. |
| Portability | LXD is less portable in comparison with Docker as it is almost termed as a complete Operating System Environment. | Docker is more portable |
| Popularity | It is not that popular in the market. | Docker is quite popular as it is one of the industry-leading container platforms. It is one of the largest and growing when compared with LXD. |
| Memory and Storage | Memory performance and RAM speed are lower in LXD when compared with Docker. | Memory performance and RAM speed are higher in Docker when compared with LXD. |
| Process Management | Multiple processes can run inside the same container. | It can run a single process per container which means that if one wants to run a z number of processes, one needs a z number of containers to run that process. |
| Speed | LXD is faster than Docker for executing applications while using multiple processors. | Docker is faster than LXD when a single processor is used. |
| Platforms Using | Deck-D, Stockopedia, and GEMServers are some of the platforms that are using LXD. | Spotify, Pinterest, Twitter, and Google are some of the platforms that are using Docker. |
Conclusion
Both tools share a Linux Kernel and have many tools for storage, interfaces, networking, and managing containers with their respective features, pros, and cons. LXD is good in some features, whereas Docker is also good in some other features. It is all up to the choice of organization to select the tools according to their own requirements.
