VM Vs Docker

[Rikmeister]

I use virtual machines (Virtualbox mainly), as a sort of sandbox, to run software I want to keep separate from my everyday stuff. It works okay but I wonder if container technology, Docker probably, might have some advantages.

Has anyone any experience or views on this?

 

[Sp00n]

I use both but I have been moving towards docker as it has less overheads compared to running VMs, I find it generally quicker to spin up services as well.

 

[Rikmeister]

I use both but I have been moving towards docker as it has less overheads compared to running VMs, I find it generally quicker to spin up services as well.

Thanks. That's helpful.

 

[Buffalo2102]

I use Proxmox and it has VMs and containers. I use a mix depending on the application.

 

[Rikmeister]

I use Proxmox and it has VMs and containers. I use a mix depending on the application.

Sounds complex for a casual user. I think I'll try Docker to get used to the container technology and bear Proxmox in mind in case there is a needed for it at a later stage.

 

[Buffalo2102]

Sounds like a plan.

Proxmox isn't complex but it is a full hypervisor, rather than using Docker on top of your current OS. Great for a dedicated server if you choose to go that route in future but a bit of overkill if you just want to isolate certain applications. Sorry I didn't really read your OP properly.

 

[simc1978]

It depends what you want to do in these sandboxes. If you are installing apps with GUIs or unusual OS flavors then VMs are still your best bet. If you are doing command line stuff or running apps you can access over http then you will do better with docker as above.

I've just jumped to the windows insider channel and the development build of docker that lets you use your GPU in docker containers, this is great for me running TensorFlow stuff. It works well enough that I've deleted my Ubuntu dual boot

 

[simc1978]

YMMV

 

[Rikmeister]

Sounds like a plan.
Sorry I didn't really read your OP properly.

No problem. Good to know about Proxmox

It depends what you want to do in these sandboxes. If you are installing apps with GUIs or unusual OS flavors then VMs are still your best bet.

This. Although I would like to have a look at TensorFlow at some stage so the situation might change.

YMMV

Took me a while to work out what this meant. I was thinking I know MVVM (Model View ViewModel) and MVC (Model View Controller) but what pattern is "YMMV". Sometimes geek-mode doesn't help.

 

[simc1978]

This. Although I would like to have a look at TensorFlow at some stage so the situation might change.

It's a bit of a niche within a niche, but the 10-100x speedups of using a GPU over a CPU are a massive boost for even moderately complex models.

Took me a while to work out what this meant. I was thinking I know MVVM (Model View ViewModel) and MVC (Model View Controller) but what pattern is "YMMV". Sometimes geek-mode doesn't help

I was going for Your Mileage May Vary, recognizing that perhaps not everyone wants to be on the Windows dev build and use GPUs in docker. Also recycling an accidental duplicate post.