AWS doubles down on Docker technology, launches EC2 Container Service

AWS CTO Werner Vogels outlines a new service that could scale Docker container technology. The move also speaks to the developer base.


LAS VEGAS — Amazon Web Services on Wednesday rolled out EC2 Container Service, which can manage containers at any scale.

AWS CTO Werner Vogels outlined the new service at re:Invent 2014. The idea is that containers can be used across multiple availability zones and scheduled. Enterprise interest in containers is picking up.

The service, free aside from what you'd pay for an EC2 instance, will: 

  • Be native to AWS customers;
  • Easier;
  • Integrated with Docker Hub;
  • And provide cluster management.

Container technology has been the rage among developers. The reason is simple: The containers ensure that development is consistent and easy to deploy. Companies like Docker have become popular because they solve a real developer need. In addition, Docker technology, an open source project, has been pitched as a better way to manage distributed applications. That reason is why Docker is sometimes viewed as a VMware killer.

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That perception may be off by a bit, but it's clear that Docker technology has support as AWS, Microsoft, Google and a bevy of others are all supporting it.

AWS' Container Service speaks to its developer base and fends off Google, which is eyeing the technology as a way to leapfrog. AWS did a demonstration of the EC2 Container Service, which unless you're a developer probably didn't resonate so much. Nevertheless, the EC2 Container Service was well received.

Docker CEO Ben Golub also touted integration with AWS. The Docker appearance is worth noting just because Google, Microsoft, VMware and a host of others have supported Docker, an open source container technology that enables developers to quickly deploy apps. Cloud providers support Docker because they don't want their developers left out.

"Docker technology is a huge ecosystem," said Golub. Golub positioned Docker technology as a content creation enabling tool. After all, developers are content creators. Golub argued that apps have changed and are now iterative. Developers shouldn't be required to do infrastructure grunt work just to get rolling.

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