Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Sign in
Home
Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Leaderboard
Use
Analytics
Sign in
Suggest modification to this talk
Title
Description
By, Ben Dixon Docker has taken the world by storm as a tool for deploying applications, but it can be used for much more than that. We wanted to provide our students with fully functioning cloud development environments, including shells, to make teaching Ruby easier. Learn how we orchestrate the containers running these development environments and manage the underlying cluster all using a pure ruby toolchain and how deep integration between Rails and Docker has allowed us to provide a unique experience for people learning Ruby online. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/G6rE/
Date
Summarized using AI?
If this talk's summary was generated by AI, please check this box. A "Summarized using AI" badge will be displayed in the summary tab to indicate that the summary was generated using AI.
Show "Summarized using AI" badge on summary page
Summary
Markdown supported
In the video "Docker isn’t just for deployment," Ben Dixon presents a comprehensive overview of how Docker can be utilized beyond just application deployment. The main topic is the use of Docker for creating efficient cloud development environments for teaching Ruby more effectively. Dixon explains that Docker allows processes to run with minimal overhead, distinguishing it from traditional virtual machines, which require full operating system instances. He emphasizes several key points throughout the presentation: - **Docker vs. Traditional VMs**: Docker containers share the host's kernel, reducing resource consumption and start-up times compared to virtual machines, which allocate resources for separate operating systems. - **Initial Challenges**: Many beginner programmers give up on learning Ruby primarily due to difficulties setting up their development environments. Dixon's company aimed to bypass these issues by offering a fully functional browser-based Ruby development environment. - **Previous Approach**: Initially, they used Chef Solo to provision virtual machines for small student groups, which, while effective in terms of user engagement, proved inefficient and costly. - **Switch to Docker**: After exploring Docker, the team was able to automate the development environment provisioning process, thus allowing instant student access and reducing infrastructure costs. - **Docker API**: Dixon highlights the advantages of using Docker's HTTP API and a Ruby gem to simplify interactions with containers. This abstraction allows developers to manage containers similarly to how they handle other application APIs. - **Efficiency Gains**: The new Docker-based strategy increased capacity from about 10 users per VM to a minimum of 500 users per node, enabling cost-effective free trials. - **Further Use Cases**: Dixon mentions alternate applications of Docker, such as creating programming language playgrounds, and how they successfully allow users to interact with new languages without complex setups. In conclusion, the session emphasizes Docker's versatility as a tool beyond deployment, demonstrating how it can facilitate learning and development through effective management of cloud environments. Dixon encourages viewers to explore the linked resources and consider using Docker for similar educational and technical projects, highlighting the positive impact made by these advancements on the learning experiences of students. He concludes with an invitation for questions from the audience.
Suggest modifications
Cancel
