I recently deployed a production stack using Docker Compose that includes several containerized services: a frontend web application (JavaScript), a backend server (Python), a worker for background tasks, Nginx as a reverse proxy, Grafana for monitoring, Loki for logging, and Promtail as a log-pushing agent. The database isn't containerized and is on a separate small instance. My main concern is whether I need to worry about availability during updates. Kubernetes seems like an overkill for my situation, and I'm considering Docker Swarm—can I effectively run it on a single small instance, or is that still too much? I'd really appreciate any insights or advice from the community.
5 Answers
If you have virtual machines or physical servers, consider looking into Podman Quadlets. If you’re cloud-deploying, AWS ECS or Azure ACI might fit your needs better.
What are the main advantages of switching from Compose to Podman Quadlets? I'm curious about how it impacts usability for developers.
Using Docker Compose on a single instance can simplify things, but for high availability and seamless updates, you'll want a more robust solution. Swarm can help manage that—it's designed for these scenarios. If you're not ready to jump into Kubernetes, Swarm is a solid alternative.
I’ve been using Swarm with my production apps and it’s been great. If you want something straightforward without the complexities of Kubernetes, go for Swarm.
Thanks for your response! Update times are quick—just 3 to 5 seconds—so I think I might be okay for now, but do you think Swarm could still be beneficial for my setup?
Swarm is losing traction; it might not be your best bet long-term. If you don’t need high availability, Compose is sufficient for your current stack, but explore other options as your needs evolve.
For smaller setups, I've had good experiences with k3s. You can skip some extras and still scale later if needed. It’s a lightweight version of Kubernetes that's simpler to manage.
Yeah, I've heard k3s can be a great bridge if you think you'll grow into Kubernetes later.
In scenarios like yours with a single host, Docker Compose works just fine. If your projects start growing and you need more than a dozen containers, start considering Kubernetes or Rancher for better management.
I’ve used Rancher too, but I still prefer Kubernetes for scale. Can you explain where Rancher hits a wall compared to using Kubernetes directly?
I’m just getting familiar with the Docker ecosystem, but I’m open to exploring alternatives like Podman in the future!