Docker and application container software is on the road to mainstream adoption, with enterprises either using Docker or evaluating it in their organisation.
StackEngine, a startup that helps to manage and automate docker containers, polled 745 site visitors to VMblog.com and CloudCow.com in January this year about their knowledge of use of containers.
The State of Containers’ survey found that 70% of respondents are using Docker or evaluating it in their organisation, 23% are familiar but not using it, while 7% have never heard of it.
Another 31% of respondents said they are already using or plan to use the technology in production. Of those using it, 64% do so for testing and quality assurance, while 53% use it in development.
David Marshall, founder of VMblog and virtualisation industry expert, said: "With Docker, we’re seeing a different adoption model from recent technology initiatives such as the cloud, which was in large part top-down, pushed by executive CIO initiatives or financial management."
"Docker usage, on the other hand, is being driven from the middle out, either by middle management or grassroots efforts."
The research also found that one of the main obstacles to Docker adoption is security, with 49% questioning its security model, while 49% also cited a lack of operational tools to manage containers for production purposes.
"Docker appears to be taking on the establishment in a different direction from that of Cloud technology, which has in large part been a top-down driven technology over these last number of years and pushed in large part by executive CIO initiatives or financial management," StackEngine said in an infographic.
"Instead, according to the survey results, Docker usage is being driven in large part from the middle out, with nearly 47% responding that Docker decisions are being made by middle management, and another 24% by Grassroots efforts."
