What does Docker use to isolate applications running on the same host?

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Docker uses namespaces to provide isolation for applications running on the same host. Namespaces are a fundamental feature of the Linux kernel that encapsulates and isolates system resources for applications. By using namespaces, Docker can create separate environments for each container, ensuring that each one has its own view of system resources such as processes, network interfaces, user IDs, and file systems. This enables multiple containers to operate independently on the same host without interfering with each other's execution and data.

For instance, when a Docker container is created, it has its own network namespace, meaning it has a distinct network stack and can have its own IP address and network interfaces. Similarly, it can have separate mounts and process IDs, among other resources. This level of isolation is essential for security and resource management, allowing developers to run multiple applications on the same server efficiently.

In contrast, virtual machines provide isolation through full operating system virtualization, which is heavier and resource-intensive compared to the lightweight approach of containers that utilize namespaces. Processes are the individual tasks running in the operating system and do not provide the level of resource encapsulation that Docker containers require. Lastly, images are the read-only templates used to create containers, encapsulating the application code and its dependencies but not responsible for the isolation mechanism itself

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