Docker Use Cases: Most Common Ways to Use Docker

What is Docker?

An open-source platform, Docker is used by developers to help them automate the deployment of applications inside containers. A consistent environment is provided by docker so that the software can run across multiple computing environments. It gets easier to efficiently ship, build and run applications due to docker. 

Learn more about Docker in our step-by-step guide tutorial for beginners.

What is Docker Used For?

There is a wide range of uses for Docker. They are: 

Microservices

Due to docker, the applications can be broken down into smaller, manageable components. The deployment and development of microservices-based architectures are facilitated by docker. 

Containers

The management and creation of isolated, lightweight containers are enabled by docker. These containers encapsulate the dependencies of an application and make sure that it is consistent across multiple environments. 

DevOps Adoption

The software delivery process gets streamlined by docker as it helps organizations in embracing DevOps principles. It is done by enabling collaboration between the operations and development teams. 

Software Testing

The developer is allowed by docker to test their applications in reproducible, isolated containers.  The process of managing and setting up testing environments is simplified by docker.

Continuous Deployment

One can achieve continuous delivery and integration easily due to docker. This is because the automated and rapid deployment of applications is enabled by docker. 

Legacy App Migration

The migration of legacy applications to containerized environments is facilitated by docker. This improves the scalability, portability, and ease of management of legacy applications. 

Also Read: Docker vs. Virtual Machines: Differences You Need to Know

What are Microservices? 

In software development, microservices are an architectural approach. In this approach, applications are built as a collection of independent, small, and loosely coupled services. Specific functionality is represented by each service. Each can be deployed and developed independently. Well-defined APIs are used to communicate with other services. 

What are Containers? 

Isolated, lightweight environments in which an application and its dependencies are encapsulated in known containers. They allow applications to run consistently and reliably across multiple computing environments providing a portable and consistent runtime environment. 

Benefits of Using Docker

Several advantages are guaranteed when one uses docker. They include simplification of the application deployment,  improved resource utilization, consistent environment across multiple platforms, easy scalability, improved collaboration between operations and development teams, more efficient and faster software testing, simplified software updates and maintenance, and enhanced overall productivity and efficiency in the development cycle of software.

Learn More: Top Docker Commands Tutorial 

Companies Powered by Docker:

Multiple leading companies use Docker in their operations.  These include 

• Airbnb: The deployment and development process of Airbnb is simplified with the use of Docker.
• Spotify:  Rapid updates and iterations are enabled by Docker as Spotify uses it to streamline its continuous deployment and integration workflows. 
• PayPal: Resource utilization is improved by Docker as Paypal uses it to decrease the time needed to tear down and set up a test environment.
• Uber: Docker ensures scalability and consistency across the Uber platform as they use it to manage and deploy their microservices architecture. 
• Netflix: Scaling of applications and rapid deployment is possible due to Docker on Netflix, and it enables a seamless streaming experience for its huge audience base. 

Docker Use Cases for Businesses

Numerous cases for business are provided by Docker. 

• Adoption of DevOps: Organizations can embrace DevOps practices as Docker helps it by automating workflows, fostering collaboration, and ensuring consistency across deployment and development environments.
• App Infrastructure Isolation:  isolation of applications is enabled by Docker. Deploying and managing complex application stacks without interference becomes easier.
• Multi-tenancy Support: Businesses can host multiple services or applications on a single infrastructure with Docker. That reduces the costs and consumption.
• Improvement in Software Testing: The setup of testing environments is simplified by Docker. This allows the developer to perform consistent and comprehensive testing across multiple configurations.
• Smart Disaster Recovery (DR):  rapid replication and recovery of applications are facilitated by Docker’s containerization. This ensures there is less downtime when there is a disaster.
• Continuous Rapid Deployment: The deployment process is streamlined by docker. It enables organizations to release software updates frequently and quickly and their time to market improves. 
• Creation of Microservices Architecture: The lightweight containers of Docker are perfect for managing and building microservices. They enable scalability, independent development, and fault isolation. 
• Migration of Legacy Apps to Containers:  legacy applications can be modernized by containerizing them. Benefits like ease of management, portability, and scalability are unlocked by it. 
• Simplification of Code Configuration: The need for complex setups is minimized by docker. They ensure easy deployment of different machines with minimal configuration. 
• Management of Development Pipeline: Reproducible and consistent environments across testing, production, and development stages are enabled by docker. This streamlines the pipeline for software development. 
• Increased Developer Productivity: Setup time is reduced by Docker's consistent and portable environment. This allows the developers to focus on iterating on their applications and writing code. 
• Consolidation of Server Requirements:  Better resource utilization is allowed by Docker’s containerization. This reduces infrastructure costs as businesses get to run more than one container on a single server. 
• Porting Across Cloud Providers: Docker's container format enables easy migration between multiple cloud providers. This avoids vendor lock-in and ensures flexibility. 

Docker Use Cases for Various Industry Verticals

There are many use cases of Docker across industries. 

• Healthcare: Isolated and secure deployment of healthcare applications is enabled by Docker. This ensures that there is compliance with regulations of data privacy, and scalability is also facilitated. 
• Media and Entertainment: Consistent performance is ensured across different platforms and scalability is improved as the deployment of media and entertainment applications is facilitated by Docker. 
• Travel:  Deploying and building applications that handle large volumes of data for travel companies if enabled by Docker. It ensures scalability, reliability, and efficient resource utilization. 
• FinTech: powerful and scalable financial applications can be built by FinTech companies with the help of Docker. They ensure compliance, security, and agility in a highly regulated industry. 
• eCommerce: eCommerce businesses get to scale and deploy their applications rapidly due to Docker. This ensures efficient management of inventory and a seamless shopping experience. 
• Education:  The setup of the development and testing environment in educational institutions is simplified by docker. This helps the students to concentrate on experimentation and learning. 

When Not to Use Docker?

Though Docker is a robust technology, it might not suit all scenarios. If you are using applications that are greatly dependent on specific OS configurations or need low-level hardware access, do not use Docker. Monolithic legacy applications with complex dependencies may not have any advantages with the use of containerization. Moreover, if there is an extremely resource-constrained environment where the overhead of Docker outweighs the advantages, you might use alternative deployment strategies. 

What's Next After Docker?

There is rapid movement in the evolution of containerization technology. New container management systems have come up that improve container deployment, management, and scaling. Docker Swarms, Apache Mesos, and Kubernetes are important container management systems. 

Container Management Systems 

Container management systems are providers of frameworks and tools to deploy, manage, orchestrate, and scale containerized applications. They ensure optimal reliability and performance by simplifying the management of complex container environments.

Choose The Right DevOps Program

This table compares various DevOps programs offered by Simplilearn, based on several key features and details. The table provides an overview of the courses' duration, skills you will learn, additional benefits, among other important factors, to help you make an informed decision about which course best suits your needs.

Program Name	DevOps Engineer Masters Program	Post Graduate Program in DevOps
Geo	All	All
University	Simplilearn	Caltech
Course Duration	11 Months	9 Months
Coding Experience Required	Basic Knowledge	Basic Knowledge
Skills You Will Learn	40+ Skills Including Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Jenkins, etc.	10+ Skills Including CI,CD, DevOps on Cloud, Deployment Automation, etc.
Additional Benefits	Masters Certification Real Life Projects Learn 40+ Skills and Tools	Caltech Campus Connect Career Services Masterclasses by Caltech Instructors
Cost	$$	$$$
	Explore Program	Explore Program

Conclusion

Docker is a useful technology in the world of application deployment and development. It provides multiple use cases of Docker and advantages across multiple industries. Many businesses are choosing it due to its advantages. Docker has a promising future with its potential to reconstruct how applications are deployed and built in the coming years. 

If you are looking to enhance your DevOps skills further, we would highly recommend you to check Simplilearn's Post Graduate Program in DevOps. This course, in collaboration with Caltech CTME, can help you gain the relevant DevOps skills and make you job-ready in no time.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments section below. Our team will get back to you at the earliest.

FAQs 

1. What are the most common technologies running in Docker containers?

Web servers like Apache and Nginx, databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL and programming languages such as Node.js and Python are the most common technologies running in Docker containers. 

2. How scalable is Docker technology?

Docker technology is highly scalable, allowing applications to be easily scaled up or down by deploying and managing multiple containers.

3. Do Docker use cases include macOS and Windows operating systems?

Yes, Docker use cases include macOS and Windows operating systems, as Docker provides support and compatibility for running containers on these platforms.

4. What makes Docker different from other containerization technologies?

Docker differentiates itself from other containerization technologies through its user-friendly interface, extensive ecosystem, and strong community support, making it more accessible and widely adopted.

5. Why is Docker used in DevOps?

DevOps uses Docker because it streamlines the software delivery process, enabling faster and more consistent deployment, testing, and collaboration between development and operations teams.

6. What are container use cases?

Container use cases include simplifying application deployment, enhancing scalability and portability, facilitating microservices architecture, and improving resource utilization and efficiency.

7. Why use Docker for ML?

Docker is used for machine learning (ML) because it provides a consistent environment for ML workflows, simplifies software dependencies, enables reproducibility, and allows for easy sharing and collaboration on ML models and experiments.