Linux containers have been a game changer in the world of application development and deployment. They offer a lightweight and secure way to package and distribute applications, making it possible to easily move workloads between different environments. Podman is a container engine that has been gaining popularity in the Linux community due to its unique features and benefits. In this blog post, we will discuss what podman is and why you might want to consider using it.

What is Podman?

Podman is an open-source container engine that allows users to manage containers without requiring a daemon running in the background. It is a daemonless alternative to Docker, which requires a daemon to be running at all times. Instead, podman uses a simple command-line interface that makes it easy to run and manage containers. This approach eliminates the need for a centralized daemon and provides a more secure and lightweight container management solution.

Benefits of Using Podman

Podman offers several benefits that make it an attractive alternative to Docker. One of the key benefits is its ability to run containers as non-root users, which enhances security by reducing the attack surface. Additionally, podman allows users to easily manage and run containers without requiring sudo access. This feature is especially useful in environments where users do not have root privileges.

Another benefit of using podman is its ability to create and manage containers without requiring a daemon. This makes it easier to use on systems with limited resources or those that are running multiple container engines at the same time. Podman also supports multiple image formats, making it possible to run containers built for different container engines.

How to Use Podman

Using podman is relatively straightforward, especially if you are familiar with Docker. The basic workflow involves pulling an image from a registry, creating a container from the image, and then running the container. Podman provides a simple command-line interface that makes it easy to perform these tasks.

Here are some additional examples of how to use Podman:

For more advanced use cases, such as managing containers in a multi-node environment, you can use Podman with tools like Kubernetes or OpenShift. These tools provide a way to manage and orchestrate containers across multiple nodes, making it easier to scale and manage your container workloads.

Podman vs Docker

While podman and Docker share many similarities, there are some key differences between the two container engines. One of the biggest differences is that podman does not require a daemon to be running in the background, while Docker does. This makes podman a more lightweight and secure solution, as there is no centralized daemon that can be compromised by an attacker.

Additionally, podman supports running containers as non-root users, which is not possible with Docker. This enhances security by reducing the attack surface and makes it easier to run containers in environments where users do not have root privileges. Podman also supports different image formats, making it possible to run containers built for other container engines like Docker or CRI-O.

Another key difference between podman and Docker is the way they handle container networking. Podman uses the same networking stack as the host system, which can simplify networking and make it easier to troubleshoot issues. Docker, on the other hand, uses its own networking stack, which can be more complex to configure and troubleshoot.

How to Migrate from Docker to Podman

If you are currently using Docker and are interested in migrating to podman, you may be wondering how to get started. Fortunately, the process is relatively straightforward and can be done in a few simple steps.