What is vch?

VCH stands for Virtual Container Host. It's a technology from VMware that simplifies the deployment and management of containerized applications on vSphere infrastructure.

A VCH essentially provides a way to run Docker containers on vSphere without requiring direct knowledge of vSphere concepts from developers. It acts as a bridge, allowing container deployments to leverage vSphere features like resource management, security, and high availability.

Here's a breakdown of some key aspects:

  • Purpose: The primary goal of a VCH is to make it easier for developers to deploy and manage containers in a vSphere environment, while allowing vSphere administrators to retain control and utilize existing infrastructure.
  • Architecture: A VCH is essentially a specialized virtual machine (VM) running a minimal Linux operating system. This VM hosts the Docker daemon, which is then used to deploy and manage containers. The containers themselves run as VMs managed by vSphere.
  • Benefits: Using VCH offers benefits such as improved security (containers run within isolated VMs), simplified resource management (vSphere's resource pools can be used), and the ability to leverage existing vSphere infrastructure.
  • Use Cases: VCHs are often used in organizations that want to adopt container technologies without significantly altering their existing vSphere-based infrastructure or workflows. This is particularly helpful for companies with established vSphere environments and a need to integrate containerized applications.

Important subjects: