5 game-changing capabilities from IBM Containers on Bluemix

At InterConnect 2015, IBM announced an update to the container service beta on Bluemix that was originally released last December. The update expands capabilities that provide enterprises with integrated tools and services they need to automate application deployment across the public cloud and on-premises cloud. This means businesses can rapidly create portable applications and services that are not tied to specific cloud architectures.

You’re probably already familiar with container technology, specifically Docker, and the advantages this technology can provide. But if this is a new concept to you, fear not—here are several good sources of information to get you up to speed:

? Docker moves toward open cloud technology
? How Docker technology adds value to the cloud paradigm
? Envisioning the Docker technology
? Docker: Managing the excitement
? The key differentiators of Docker technology

Now that we’re on the same page, let’s take a look at five key capabilities that our latest Bluemix update provides.

1. Push and pull containers from on-premises to off-premises service
You have the ability to download and run containers on-premises (through a local workstation or private cloud) for use prior to running in the public cloud. Using the IBM Container Extensions (ICE) command line, you can easily automate the deployment of containers to a private or public cloud.

2. Hosted private registry with access controls
With security and privacy as top concerns, you don’t want to store your containers in publicly accessible registry hubs. The IBM Container offering on Bluemix allows you to store your images on the cloud with the controls to ensure no one else can access them.

3. Integrated container monitoring and logging
As soon as you deploy new containers, you gain insight into the CPU, memory and network utilization per container, as well as access to the latest log messages.

4. One-step public IP configuration
It could not be easier to request a publicly accessible IP address and assign it to a container using ICE commands. After fully testing the app in your container, you can bind a public IP to it and run the app on the Internet.

5. Services integration, including seamless infrastructure as a service and platform as a service with other Bluemix services such as analytics
IBM Bluemix allows you to bind any Bluemix app to an existing container, enabling you to run your newly created PHP app on a container.

Don’t forget, you can start your FREE Bluemix trial today. What are your container use cases, concerns or issues? Let’s continue the discussion in the comments below, or you can follow me on Twitter @ChrisRosen188.