~/Bare Metal vs Docker Key Differences
May 16, 2021
Bare metal refers to running applications directly on physical servers without any virtualization or containerization. Docker, in contrast, is a container platform enabling lightweight, portable environments that run on any infrastructure.
Performance
Bare metal typically offers the best performance, as there is no resource overhead from containers or hypervisors. Docker containers introduce minimal overhead, but less than virtual machines.
Isolation
Docker provides process and filesystem isolation using Linux namespaces and cgroups. Bare metal has no inherent isolation beyond OS users and permissions.
Deployment
Docker excels in application deployment and environment parity. Containers are portable and easy to replicate. Bare metal deployments require manual and OS-dependent setup.
Resource Utilization
Docker allows multiple apps and services to run on the same machine with strong resource control. Bare metal processes compete directly for resources without this granularity.
Security
Containers have a potential attack surface due to sharing the host OS kernel. Bare metal does not share the kernel with other tenants, so kernel exploits are less impactful.
Use Cases
Use bare metal for maximum performance and security. Use Docker for rapid development, testing, microservices, and scaling.
Summary Table
| Bare Metal | Docker | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | High | Near-native |
| Isolation | Low | Medium |
| Deployment | Manual | Automated |
| Utilization | Variable | Efficient |
| Security | High | Medium |
Choose bare metal for hardware-intensive workloads or stricter compliance. Choose Docker for flexibility, portability, and ease of management.