Advantages of Virtual Machines over Portable Containers


Virtual machines (VMs) and portable containers are two popular technologies used for virtualization and deployment of applications. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but in certain cases, VMs may be the better option over portable containers. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of VMs over portable containers, including security, isolation, and compatibility.

Security

One of the main advantages of VMs over portable containers is security. VMs provide a higher level of security by isolating the operating system and applications from the host system. This means that any vulnerabilities or security breaches within the VM will not affect the host system or other VMs running on the same host.

For example, imagine a company running a financial application on a VM. If the application is compromised by a cyber-attack, the attacker will not be able to access the host system or other VMs running on the same host. This is not the case with portable containers, which share the host system's kernel and are therefore more vulnerable to attacks.

Isolation

Another advantage of VMs over portable containers is isolation. VMs provide a higher level of isolation between applications and operating systems, which allows for better resource management and performance. This means that each VM can have its own operating system, applications, and resources, without interfering with other VMs on the same host.

For example, imagine a company running a web application on a VM, and a database application on another VM. The web application may require more memory and CPU resources, while the database application may require more storage. With VMs, each application can have its own resources, without interfering with each other. This is not the case with portable containers, which share the host system's resources.

Compatibility

Another advantage of VMs over portable containers is compatibility. VMs provide a higher level of compatibility with different operating systems and applications. This means that VMs can run different operating systems and applications, without the need for compatibility layers or modifications.

For example, imagine a company running a Windows application on a VM, and a Linux application on another VM. With VMs, the Windows application can run on Windows, and the Linux application can run on Linux, without the need for compatibility layers or modifications. This is not the case with portable containers, which require compatibility layers or modifications to run different operating systems and applications.

Scalability

Another important advantage of VMs over portable containers is scalability. VMs are more flexible when it comes to scaling up or down, as they can be easily cloned or deleted. This allows for quick and efficient scaling of resources, depending on the demand for the application.

For example, imagine a company running a web application on a VM, and the traffic to the website increases dramatically. With VMs, the company can easily clone the VM and distribute the traffic across multiple VMs, ensuring that the application remains available and responsive. This is not as easy with portable containers, as they require more manual intervention to scale.

Disaster Recovery

In addition, VMs offer more options for disaster recovery. VMs can be backed up and restored, allowing for quick recovery in case of a disaster. Portable containers, on the other hand, may not have the same level of disaster recovery options.

Legacy Applications

Another advantage of VMs is their ability to run legacy applications. Some older applications may not be compatible with portable containers, as they may require specific hardware or software that is not available in a containerized environment. VMs, however, can run these legacy applications without modification, providing a more seamless transition for companies who need to maintain legacy systems.

One of the main limitations of portable containers is their lack of flexibility when it comes to network configuration. VMs, on the other hand, can be configured with multiple virtual NICs (network interfaces), providing more options for network segmentation and security.

Conclusion

In conclusion, VMs have several advantages over portable containers, including security, isolation, compatibility, scalability, disaster recovery, and the ability to run legacy applications. While portable containers have their own advantages, such as lightweight and fast deployment, VMs are the better option in certain cases, particularly when security, isolation, compatibility, scalability, disaster recovery, and the ability to run legacy applications are a priority. Companies should carefully evaluate their needs and requirements before deciding which technology to use for virtualization and deployment of applications.

Updated on: 30-Jan-2023

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