I've been on a journey over the past year trying to set up a media management stack using Docker, but after months of frustration, I switched back to installing applications directly and using systemd. To my surprise, everything worked smoothly in just a day! I struggled with various Docker setups, including docker-compose files and a myriad of networking and volume issues. When I moved to systemd, I found I could easily manage services, control their startup order, and access clear logs without all the Docker abstraction. I recognize that Docker has its strengths, especially for deployments, but in my home lab, where I wanted more control and simplicity, systemd proved to be the better option. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Is there an easy way to use Docker without getting lost in its complexities?
5 Answers
I think your quick success with systemd might be because you're already familiar with it. For someone brand new to both Docker and systemd, Docker could actually be easier. Plus, once you set things up in Docker, it's much simpler to replicate elsewhere using docker-compose. It's true that writing Dockerfiles can be tricky at first, but in the long run, it might serve you better if you stick with it!
I moved my home lab to Docker years ago, and I've migrated my services to different hardware a couple of times since. Instead of trying to remember all the configurations, I just bring the containers back up, and they work immediately! I really feel it's the way to go for a flexible home setup.
If you're relying on third-party Docker images for less common apps, some may not have been thoroughly tested. I've had issues where a program misbehaved in Docker due to permission issues. It might be worth creating your own images if you can!
Fair warning: using Docker can sometimes bring in complexities that are similar to VMs. While it can seem like a hassle compared to systemd, Docker offers numerous advantages that might be worth exploring further.
Some experienced cons of Docker actually apply to VMs as well, so it's a bit of an apples to oranges comparison. But I'm curious to see where you find Docker lacking. Perhaps it’s just a skill level thing—you might find it easier once you dive deeper into it!
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