Containers vs Virtual Machines: Choosing the Right Solution for You

Choosing the appropriate virtualization deployment model can make a world of difference for your environment. However, deciding between containers vs virtual machines isn’t always clear-cut. They each have strengths and weaknesses, depending on your operating environment.

What is a Virtual Machine (VM)?

Choosing the appropriate virtualization deployment model can significantly impact your environment. VMs can run multiple instances of operating systems on a single physical machine. They can also store data, connect to networks, and perform other computing functions.

VMs exist independently of one another yet share the same hardware resources such as CPU power or storage space. You can run multiple “virtual computers” on a single physical computer. Each VM behaves like a separate, isolated computer, so you can run different operating systems or software on each VM without them interfering with each other.

Pros and Cons of VMs

VMs have advantages and disadvantages that can vary depending on the specific use case and needs. Here are some of the pros of VMs:

1. Isolation: VMs provide isolation between different virtual machines, so if one VM crashes or has security issues, it doesn’t affect other VMs running on the same physical host.
2. Resource Allocation: VMs allow efficient distribution of computing resources, such as specific amounts of CPU, memory, and storage so each VM can operate effectively.
3. Versatility: VMs enable you to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single physical host. This is useful for testing, development, or running applications that require different environments.

Some cons of VMs include:

1. Increased Resource Usage: Because they run complete operating systems—which load up entirely separate instances of binaries, libraries and system resources—VM resource usage is naturally higher.
2. Slow Performance: VMs install an entire OS for each instance, making them resource-heavy and slow to spin up.
3. Limited Scalability: A single server can only support a limited number of VMs, limiting the scalability of VMs in response to dynamic traffic conditions.

What are Containers?

A container is a package of software that contains the necessary elements to run applications in any environment. By sharing the host system’s OS kernel instead of requiring its own OS, containers are compact and can run in a private data center, the public cloud, on a developer’s personal laptop or anywhere you need it.

Pros and Cons of Containers

Here are some of the pros of containers:

1. Resource Efficiency: Containers use fewer compute resources than traditional virtual machines by leveraging shared operating systems.
2. Scalability: Servers can run more containers with the same amount of resources, and applications are easier to scale based on demand.
3. Rapid Deployment: Containers can be created and launched quickly to meet demand.
4. Cloud Compatible: The flexibility of containers makes them ideal for deploying in the cloud.

Cons of containers include:

1. Limited OS Support: Containers typically rely on a Linux kernel, so they may not be as suitable for applications that require specific operating systems, like Windows.
2. Security Risks: Misconfigured containers or vulnerabilities in the container runtime can pose security risks and endanger your organization.
3. Learning Curve: Deploying containers to automatically provision, scale and manage containerized applications can be challenging for organizations and individuals who are new to these technologies.

Which Option is Better for You?

When it comes to the debate about container vs VM, both have unique characteristics and advantages, depending on your unique situation.

Virtual machiness are easy to create and support various OS options, making them suitable for developers. They also provide a layer of security by keeping instances isolated. However, VMs use more resources — companies with budget to allocate to additional computing power will be well-suited to VMs.

Containers operate well in a cloud environment, are flexible and portable and can easily scale horizontally. They consume fewer resources and are faster to deploy. However, due to their shared resources, they are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks and require robust protection. Companies that are confident in their cybersecurity posture, defense strategy and disaster recovery plan can benefit most from the flexibility and scalability of containers.

Your organization’s virtualization strategy will depend largely on your business needs and infrastructure. Whether you land on the VM, container or combination side of the container vs VM debate, it’s essential to protect your network from attacks.

OneNeck has partnered with Fortra’s Alert Logic to offer Managed Detection and Response (MDR). By combining our teams of round-the-clock security experts with Fortra’s Alert Logic’s award-winning SaaS security platform and continuous threat research and analytics. Learn more about Always-on Support with MDR from OneNeck and Alert Logic by reading the brochure here.

Are your containers secure? OneNeck has partnered with Alert Logic to offer top-notch intrusion detection for containers. Explore our specialized offering and fortify your container security.

Additional Resources: