What is Docker and Kubernetes?

Docker and Kubernetes are separate technologies that work together to manage containerized applications. Docker lets developers package an application and its dependencies into a lightweight, portable container that runs the same way in different environments. That makes software easier to build and ship, and it removes most "it works on my machine" problems.

Kubernetes is an orchestration system that manages those containers at scale. Docker runs the individual containers, and Kubernetes automates how they are deployed, scaled and operated across a cluster of machines. It provides high availability, load balancing and self-healing for complex applications. On MrPlanB.com the two tools often come up when people move from simple Docker setups to Kubernetes clusters, both in homelabs and in enterprise environments.