10 Things You Should Know About Docker

Containers are not a brand‑new technology, but that does not prevent Docker from sweeping the world like a storm.

If you work in IT, you have certainly heard of Docker; even when compared with other hot technologies such as Puppet/Chef, Hadoop, or MongoDB, Docker still feels fresh.

However, Docker’s current popularity does not guarantee it is the right choice for every organization. As the Tech Pro Research analysis article warns, "When deciding whether to adopt Docker as a future enterprise technology direction, you need to be cautious!"

Before you try Docker, understand the following ten points:

1. Docker is a software packaging and release technology

Modern software systems consist of binaries, libraries, configuration files, and other dependencies. Assembling and publishing these components is complex. Docker provides a simple, standardized way to package all dependencies and deploy them to any environment, whether developers’ machines or production servers.

2. Docker is not a brand‑new technology

Docker appeared only a few years ago, but container technology has existed for decades. Its success is largely due to the rise of Linux, widespread virtualization, and the growth of cloud computing, which created the perfect conditions for Docker.

3. Broad industry support for Docker

Virtually every major technology vendor—Amazon AWS, Red Hat, Google, and many others—offers full Docker support.

4. Docker runs beyond Linux

Although Docker originated on Linux, Microsoft is heavily embracing it. Docker relies on Linux‑specific features such as cgroups and namespaces, so Microsoft is adding comparable capabilities to Windows Server to ensure compatibility.

5. Docker lets you manage CPU, memory, network, and disk like a virtual machine

Docker uses Linux cgroups to control resource allocation, giving you VM‑like control without the overhead of running a full operating system for each workload.

6. Starting a Docker container is far faster than booting a VM (milliseconds vs. minutes)

Containers start at the process level, avoiding the heavy OS boot sequence required by VMs, which saves both time and resources.

7. Docker will not completely replace VMs, at least in the short term

Docker is not a black‑and‑white replacement for VMs; it depends on a standardized OS underneath, whereas VMs provide stronger isolation. Some multi‑tenant scenarios may still require VMs.

8. Docker’s development speed is extremely rapid

In just a year and a half, Docker’s API has gone through fifteen versions, indicating a fast‑moving ecosystem that may not yet offer long‑term support for all enterprises.

Note: The original article was written in 2015; Docker is now at version 1.12.

9. Docker has competitors

Projects such as CoreOS’s Rocket and Ubuntu’s LXD are emerging alternatives, challenging Docker’s ecosystem and registry model.

10. Docker carries risks; adopt cautiously

Adopt Docker gradually, participate in community activities (meetups, mailing lists, etc.), and evaluate whether the surrounding ecosystem fits your organization’s needs before committing significant resources.

Regardless of Docker’s future, container technology will continue to thrive, and Docker remains the undeniable leader in this space; how you adopt it should be based on your own enterprise circumstances.