Shulou(Shulou.com)06/02 Report--

In a number of ways, Windows SQL Server containers provide better enterprise support than Linux MySQL or Postgres containers. SQL Server containers provide more backward compatibility and support existing applications, storage arrays, and infrastructure.

Windocks has evolved into a separate port for Docker open source projects, including database cloning, Web UI, secret storage and other functions. These features are customer-driven and seem to be different from mainstream Linux development. This article describes the features driven by Windows customers. Fully disclosed, I am the head of Windocks, and this article focuses on the Windows-based SQL Server container provided by Windocks.

Backward compatibility

Windocks supports all versions of SQL Server 2008 as well as SSRS support to provide container support for applications up to 10 years old. This reflects the enterprise's need for modernization, which is not limited to new cloud native designs and does not require large-scale changes to developer tools. This contrasts with the Linux DevOps initiative, which tends to focus on new cloud native projects.

Database cloning

Windocks supports database cloning using Windows virtual hard disk (VHD). Cloning allows you to transfer read / write Terabyte production databases in seconds while consuming less than 40 MB of storage space. This allows SQL Server to deploy test scripts, database migrations, and application updates with production data without affecting the production system. Although solutions for Portworx and software storage systems provide similar functionality, cloning is not supported in standard Linux distributions.

Storage array snapshots and clones

In addition to Windows-based VHD clones, Windocks works with NetApp,Pure Storage and other companies, including support for "any" storage array. Older arrays are often redeployed to support development / testing, while Windocks "any array" support can help organizations grow through acquisitions and inherit diversified storage. Windocks declares that the system supports full lifecycle management of storage volumes, clones, mount points and containers, which can be easily managed by DBA. Linux containers can use storage arrays, but require intensive script development, maintenance, and continuous support from storage administrators.

Database cloning of containers and instances

Although container adoption is accelerating, most organizations want to support modern development through a combination of containers and SQL Server instances. This is another feature unique to Windocks, including all Microsoft SQL containers (Windows and Linux) as well as database clone transfer of traditional instances. We do not understand the similar functionality of the Linux container engine.

An encrypted secret

Windocks contains an encrypted secret store, similar to the one contained in Docker EE.

Web UI for user authentication

Windows developers generally prefer GUI-based tools, and Windocks Web portals meet this requirement. Contains access and authentication based on user / group roles, similar to that provided by Portainer on Linux.

Cluster arrangement

The SQL container on Windows is catching up with the Linux brothers and surpassing them in some areas, but cluster coordination support is an area where support lags behind. By contrast, Kubernetes's Linux-based containers are widely supported.

Either / or which is better?

We disagree with these observations that Windows or Linux provide excellent container support, but emphasize the progress of SQL containers and encourage them to be used as the back end of OpenShift,Pivotal PKS and other Linux-based systems. In fact, most SQL Server will continue to run on Windows for the foreseeable future, and Linux will be the preferred host for MySQL and Postgres.

Windows enterprises are emphasizing the hybrid modernization of old and new applications, existing infrastructure and DBA-driven workflows. One of the criticisms we have heard about Linux is the complexity of multi-vendor (and project) solutions and the reliance on storage management scripts.

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