Container OS
To run containers in production, you need a physical or virtual server and a containerization tool like Docker, Containerd, or Podman. While traditional operating systems can be used, they add unnecessary overhead. This is where container-specific operating systems offer advantages.
Key Requirements
A production-ready container environment prioritizes these elements:
- Linux Kernel: The foundation of container technology.
- Container Manager: Handles container creation and runtime.
- Security: Mechanisms like SELinux in enforcing mode are crucial.
The Rise of Container-Specific Operating Systems
Container-specific operating systems are purpose-built for these requirements. They streamline deployment and minimize security risks compared to full-fledged Linux distributions.
Pioneering this space was CoreOS (2013), later acquired by Red Hat. They subsequently released Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS, optimized for OpenShift clusters. For broader Kubernetes and general-purpose container use, here are noteworthy options:
- Fedora CoreOS (2020): A versatile container OS backed by Fedora.
- AWS Bottlerocket (2020): Open-source and adaptable beyond the AWS ecosystem.
Considerations
Other container OS projects (Rancher OS, Photon OS, Flatcar Container Linux) have either fallen out of favor or remain in early development. Even Fedora CoreOS and Bottlerocket are relatively new; long-term production usage will determine their true maturity.
The Value Proposition
Container operating systems deliver a lightweight, secure, and cloud-optimized platform specifically designed for the demands of modern containerized deployments.
