Operating System Level Virtualization

Operating System Level Virtualization is Commonly Known as Container Based Virtualization. Docker is a Common Example. Basics Has Benn Discussed in this Article. Actually, we have talked about container based virtualization, Docker like topics before. Many questions are asked around Operating System Level Virtualization via Contact Us Page or over the social networks. We are trying to explain the topic Operating System Level Virtualization in an easy way, providing the examples of Operating System Level Virtualization and ruling out some myths.

Basics of Operating System Level Virtualization

One of the reason we use Operating System Level Virtualization is for live migration of containers between nodes in a cluster. This is also used in virtual hosting for securely allocating a defined hardware resources. This separation of applications increases security, hardware independence, and so on. The basic of this security provided by the use of unix chroot mechanism.

Operating System Level Virtualization is a server virtualization method, where the kernel allows running multiple isolated user spaces. These instances are often called containers, virtualization engines (VE), virtual private servers (VPS) or jails.

On Unix-like operating systems, this is kind of better implementation of the chroot mechanism. Operating System Level Virtualization cannot host a guest operating system. But the overhead is also very less.

Examples of Operating System Level Virtualization

 
These are common examples of Operating System Level Virtualization :

1. chroot
2. Docker
3. Linux-VServer
4. lmctfy
5. LXC
6. OpenVZ
7. Parallels Virtuozzo Containers
8. Solaris Containers
9. FreeBSD Jail
10. sysjail OpenBSD
11. WPARs
12. HP-UX Containers (SRP)
13. iCore Virtual Accounts
14. Sandboxie

Except 11 to 14 and number 7, all are practically Free Software.

Why Docker is Commonly Discussed Among the Operating System Level Virtualization Softwares

The technology of Docker is experiencing a moment of great glory, perhaps more than anything because Docker is the first real platform that brings an order in the chaos of the Linux-based container and finally makes this technology accessible to the developers. The success that smiles at Docker, pushes various newspapers to talk about startups and IT platform, because, in the cloud and virtualization, the topic is interesting and well-liked by a large group of users and targeted readers.

Myths About Docker or Rather Operating System Level Virtualization Softwares

Docker is a lot more and is an evolution of Operating System Level Virtualization technology, or, better yet, is the evolution of the already built system into Linux. Which we mean Virtualization, that is not possible to provide by Docker.

In fact, between Docker and virtual machines substantial differences exist – such as isolation in Docker resources, different kernels versus one kernel etc. Docker does not scale applications. Docker does not rewrite the code of an application or implement the properties of scalability remains with the developers. Docker is not hugely already used in production environments. The platform is very new and still is used mainly in dev environments. Docker is not independent of the operating system. Docker does not make the application safe.