Docker vs. Podman: A Comprehensive Guide for Container System Administrators

In the world of containerization, Docker has long been the go-to solution for developers and system administrators. However, in recent years, an alternative tool called Podman has gained traction as a viable alternative. In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between Docker and Podman, provide commands and use a cheat sheet for both, and guide you through the installation process on both Ubuntu and Red Hat-based Linux distributions.

Docker and Podman: Understanding the Basics

Both Docker and Podman are containerization tools that allow you to package applications and their dependencies into portable and lightweight containers. These containers can be run on any system that supports container runtime, making them highly flexible and efficient.

Cheat Sheet for Docker:

• docker pull: Pull an image from a registry.
• docker images: List all downloaded images.
• docker run: Run a container from an image.
• docker ps: List all running containers.
• docker ps -a: List all containers (including stopped).
• docker stop: Stop a running container.
• docker rm: Remove a container.
• docker rmi: Remove an image.
• docker build: Build an image from a Dockerfile.
• docker attach: Attach to a running container.

Cheat Sheet for Podman:

• podman pull: Pull an image from a registry.
• podman images: List all downloaded images.
• podman run: Run a container from an image.
• podman ps: List all running containers.
• podman ps -a: List all containers (including stopped).
• podman stop: Stop a running container.
• podman rm: Remove a container.
• podman rmi: Remove an image.
• podman build: Build an image from a Dockerfile.
• podman attach: Attach to a running container.

Installation Process:

To install Docker on Ubuntu, run the following commands:

# sudo apt update sudo apt install docker.io 
# sudo systemctl start docker 
# sudo systemctl enable docker         

To install Docker on Red Hat-based distributions, run the following commands:

# sudo subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-server-extras-rpms 
# sudo yum install docker sudo systemctl start docker 
# sudo systemctl enable docker         

To install Podman on Ubuntu, run the following commands:

# sudo apt update sudo apt install podman         

To install Podman on Red Hat-based distributions, run the following commands:

# sudo subscription-manager repos --enable=rhel-7-server-extras-rpms 
# sudo yum install podman         

So, we can say, Both Docker and Podman offer powerful containerization capabilities and have unique features. This cheat sheet should serve as a handy reference for system administrators working with containers. Whether you opt for Docker or Podman, you'll be equipped with the necessary commands and knowledge to manage your containerized environments effectively.

Install Docker or Podman on your system and leverage the power of containerization to streamline your development and deployment processes. Experiment with both tools and choose the best fits your requirements and preferences.

Happy containerizing!

However, you can refer to official documentation and reputable sources for more information on Docker and Podman. Some reliable sources include:

• Docker Documentation: https://docs.docker.com/
• Podman Documentation: https://podman.io/documentation/

These official documentation websites provide detailed information about Docker and Podman, including installation guides, command references, and usage examples. Additionally, you can search for articles and tutorials on platforms like Medium, Dev.to, and LinkedIn Learning for more insights and practical use cases.

#Docker #Podman #Containerization #DevOps