Constraints of managed environments.
WHAT SHARED HOSTING OFFERS
Usually no container support at all.
WHY
Running containers requires privileges shared environments do not grant.
WHAT THAT MEANS PRACTICALLY
Containerised applications need a virtual or dedicated server.
WHAT A VIRTUAL SERVER PROVIDES
Full control, and the ability to install an engine.
WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE BUYING
Whether the virtualisation supports it.
WHY THAT MATTERS
Some container-based virtualisation does not permit nested containers without configuration.
WHAT TO ASK THE PROVIDER
Whether the kernel supports what you need Whether nested containers are permitted
WHAT RESOURCES TO SIZE FOR
Memory, primarily.
WHY
Containers are cheap, but the applications inside are not.
WHAT TO PLAN FOR ON A SMALL SERVER
Swap, to survive brief spikes Memory limits per container Log rotation
WHY LOG ROTATION SPECIFICALLY
A small disk fills quickly.
WHAT TO AVOID ON A SMALL SERVER
A cluster A service mesh Anything with substantial overhead
WHAT TO USE INSTEAD
A compose file and a reverse proxy.
WHAT THAT ACHIEVES
Most of the benefit, at almost none of the cost.
WHAT TO MONITOR
Memory, disk and container restarts.
