Ask HN: Who operates at scale without containers?

Article summary

The article asks about companies that operate at scale without using container runtime or container orchestration tools. It inquires about their technology stack and if there are any good blog posts on the subject. The author clarifies that they are interested in organizations that do not rely on shipping software with heaps of dependencies, whether in a container or a single-use VM. This sparks a discussion about the use of containers and alternative approaches to deploying software at scale.

Main themes

• containerization
• deployment methods
• Linux distributions
• vendor dependence
• alternative approaches
• scalability

What commenters say

• Some companies successfully operate at scale without using containers or container orchestration tools, instead using VM images or other deployment methods.
• Containers can be useful even without orchestration, as they abstract the operating system from the application and allow for easier management.
• The choice of Linux distribution is important when not using containers, with some preferring Debian or CentOS for their balance of features and support.
• Using containers can be seen as a sign of competence or incompetence, depending on the context and motivation behind their adoption.
• Some vendors are now shipping their software in containers, which can add complexity to the evaluation process.
• The use of containers can lead to increased dependence on the vendor for security updates and other maintenance tasks.
• Alternative approaches, such as MicroVMs, can provide similar benefits to containers without the same overhead.
• The decision to use containers or not depends on the specific needs and goals of the organization, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution.