The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cloud Containers

Since the cloud containers are directly competing with virtual servers, companies should consider the advantages and disadvantages.

In this topic, we’ll look at a cloud container’s main advantages and disadvantages. 

Security

The idea of ​​containers is already synonymous with security for IT teams. Because with encapsulation, employees can divide themselves into each specific function in isolation, and each one does not interfere with the work of the other. In addition, it is possible to control the version and recover parts of it if possible errors occur.

Due to the paradigm of cloud computing, the idea of ​​protection is reinforced by the distinct mechanisms of this technology, such as cloud backups and encryption. This helps streamline processes and reduce costs and inconvenience.

Modularization

Another advantage is the possibility of modularizing development since containers allow the team to divide a system into smaller parts to work on the different consistency of each one before uniting them so that they work well together. In this way, dividing responsibilities among the team and ensuring better communication between members is possible.

With an organization, it’s easy to see relevant production information, and collaboration is optimized with everyone knowing what to do. This facilitates the implementation since it is always better to “divide and conquer,” that is, to solve problems piecemeal.

Productivity

Productivity is another benefit when containers are used. Due to using simulated locations ready for application execution, developers save time with environment configurations and related technical and operational issues. 

As there is no need to develop specifics for each operating system, there is more time to focus on features and software improvements to please customers more.

Portability

There is also the possibility of optimizing portability. Since they function as small boxes with applications, their dependencies, and libraries, containers can be transported elsewhere, practically allowing this system to run in a different location.

Application packages can be used by anyone else who has the same virtualization software. This improves collaboration and generates more agility in production, as it avoids wasting time.

Economy

With fewer operating system configurations, fewer people are needed to work in a team. In addition, agility in the development environment helps reduce operational bottlenecks and communication problems that incur more resources.

Likewise, due to the agility and lower consumption of computational capacity, this virtualization is more economical. After all, they don’t need a whole OS, for example. The reduction of physical infrastructure costs is also worth mentioning, with less need for real computers allocated to certain tasks. 

DevOps Culture

With containers, it is also possible to implement a  DevOps culture, which brings the infrastructure and operations team closer to the development team to ensure more productivity, communication, scalability, and monitoring. For example, tests are optimized to ensure consistency and fewer product failures.

This model also supports the characteristics of agile development methodologies, with more control and modularization. Therefore, the paradigm enables deliveries in less time, with more guarantee of security and compliance with customer requirements.

Deployment is also optimized to transfer applications practically and quickly from one environment to another. Still, it is possible to support the flexibility of agile methodologies.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Cloud Containers?

As with any technology, this packaging paradigm has many advantages and strengths but disadvantages. Therefore, managers must analyze all relevant factors to implement them. Next, we will see some cons of this model. 

Security Vulnerabilities

In the previous topic, security was presented as an advantage, but there are flaws in this issue. This is because containers share the kernel of operating systems and virtualize at the machine level, making the OS more vulnerable to attacks by malicious people.

Hackers have two possibilities for exploiting holes: from the kernel to the CC or from the CC to the kernel. Regardless of the way, they have more power, as the isolation is partial.

Increased Complexity

Another negative point is the possible increase in complexity that the division into many parts can cause. In a way, it is more practical to develop this way, but on the other hand, it can also create a bigger headache since it requires a much more organized administration.

If a problem occurs, finding a solution when the company has to deal with multiple parties is much more complex. Monitoring an application built in this way is more complicated than dealing with the system as a whole.

Increased Resource Consumption

The highlight of containers is their execution agility. However, this can become a problem since it can contribute to many unnecessary resources being allocated in the cloud. That’s why it’s important to have good planning.

Dependency On A Single System

Another factor about CCs is that they often depend on a single system or platform. While this is a good issue for portability, this is a major limitation for this possibility, as it requires that all members use the same OS, making communication difficult with those using other types of systems.

Connection Dependency

It would help if you were online for the application to work as expected, and in some contexts, maintaining internet availability at all times can be difficult. Network problems and disruptions can jeopardize production and lead to loss of money and delays in deadlines.

Also Read: What Are Cloud Computing Models?