Containers - This decade's biggest innovation? // Technology Untangled, Episode 5

[Michael_Bird]

If you've read any tech blogs in the past few years, you'll certainly have seen rapturous exaltations about containers and Kubernetes. But does this decade's big innovation live up to the hype?

This week, host Michael Bird takes us back to basics to explore the dynamic world of containers from the ground up, from Docker to Kubernetes. Google Advocate Kaslin Fields explains the who, the what, the why, and the how, of this small, yet mighty innovation.

Not just a handy tool for DevOps teams, Chris Ibbitson explains why organisations should start evaluating containers, and demystifies microservices, the 12 factors, and cloud-native methodologies. Plus, Stuart Anderson talks implementation and scaling, and how containers have shaken their insecure image.

Containers, Kubernetes, and Chocolate Chip Cookies

VMs and containers are often spoken about in the same breath because they both in simple terms allow different ways to build and manage applications.

Kaslin Fields lays out some delicious analogies to help us understand where the similarities and differences end, and why a Kubernetes cookie factory is exactly what you need to get those containers packed, sorted, and going where they need to go.

Why global banking applications are a lot like Pokemon GO

On the face of it, containers might just seem like a handy tool for DevOps teams, but the use cases are wide-ranging: from the hoards of gamers venturing from the couch to the great outdoors in search of a charizard, to dating apps and challenger banks.

Chris Middleton and Stuart Anderson explain the benefits of this small but mighty technology, whether you're building bespoke software, or looking to accelerate your business release change.

Buzzword Bingo: Microservices, Cloud Native, and the 12 Factors

As a relatively new innovation, containerisation is particularly guilty of the kind of technological buzzword bingo that we love to untangle. We explain why microservices matter; discuss who established the 12 factors and cloud-native concepts, and why; and share some of our top tips for finding out more about these topics from the wider open-source community.

Key takeaways:

• Containers have shaken their insecure image. By their very nature, containers can be highly secure or highly insecure. But thanks to wider adoption and maturation of this innovation, plus new security standards and tools, containers are safer than they've ever been.
• Before jumping right in with containerisation, evaluate your software lifecycle. If you're already living in a cloud-native world, then containers aren't much of a stretch. However, for organisations that write more traditional applications, or use traditional development lifecycles, may need to evaluate their methodologies and pillars or responsibility.
• Containerisation isn't going anywhere. If resilient, scalable, software is key and getting it out in a reliable manner is important than changing it frequently is important, then containerisation is the way to do it properly. The community is only five years old but it's maturing quickly, so organisations that aren't acquainted should start investigating now.

Links and Resources:

• Kaslin Fields Twitter
• Kaslin Fields Website
• Chris Ibbitson Twitter
• Kubernetes Website
• The Cloud Native Computing Foundation
• KubeCon CloudNativeCon 2020 (Digital)
• KubeAcademy from VMware
• The Twelve-Factor App
• Understanding DevOps | Red Hat
• What Are Containers? - Enterprise IT Definitions | HPE
• Article: "When to use containers (and when not to)" | HPE Blog
• Article: "Can incumbent banks become digital natives?" | Chris Ibbitson
• Software Container Platform Built on Kubernetes | HPE

Michael Bird
Hewlett Packard Enterprise

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