The beginner’s guide to google container registry, what is it, what can it offer, cost, and other competitors of container registry.
Introduction
Storing and accessing Docker images is an everyday task for most of the developers. Most of the development teams usually use Docker Hub to store public images. However, when it comes to safety, controlled access, and storage, it is important to move towards a safe and private repository. That’s where Google Container Registry comes in!
What is Google Container Registry?
Powered by Google Cloud, Google Container Registry is a private repository meant for storing and accessing Docker images. It supports different image formats including Manifest V2 and OCI. You can manage images such as pushing and pulling images through HTTPS endpoints, which are safe and secure.
Google Container Registry allows integration with your existing CI/CD infrastructure or with your Google Cloud CI/CD services.
What Does Google Container Registry Have to Offer?
Secure and Private Access Control
The best thing about Google Container Registry is that you can easily set up access control. This gives you a free hand to choose who can access images, view, or download them. With an amazing uptime, you almost never have to face slow infrastructure.
In-depth Analysis
Other than managing Docker images, the Google Container Registry lets you do in-depth vulnerability analysis. This helps you identify vulnerabilities in the initial phase of the deployment cycle. The database refreshes constantly, ensuring updated vulnerability scanning and malware protection.
Automatic Build and Deployment
Google Container Registry offers automatic build and deployment. It directly pushes images to your private registry right as you enter the code to Cloud Source Repositories, GitHub, etc.
Through quick integration to Cloud Build, you can simply set up CI/CD pipeline. With the easy QuickStart Guide by Google Cloud, setting up your Container Registry, configuring authentication, obtaining, adding and pulling images, and cleaning up becomes simple for beginners.
Securing Risky Docker Images
You can secure risky Docker images using Binary Authorization. This prevents such risky images from entering Google Kubernetes Engine. With automatic locks, you can make sure no conflict occurs with the set policies.
Native Support
Google Container Registry provides native Docker support. This comes with bundles of private repository features, making Google Container Registry stand out among its competitors.
Some significant ones include:
- It allows you to create multiple registries as per your needs and project requirements.
- Using standard command line interface, you can push and pull Docker images to your private registry.
- You can search images using names and tags, making the process quick and efficient.
Faster Access and High Availability
Another great thing about Google Container Registry is that it is available across all regions. Using Google’s fast deployment network, you will experience high-time and ease of storing Docker images to your registries, whenever and wherever you want.
Security and Safety
What makes Google Container Registry stand out is the safety and security it provides to its users. Supervised by Google Cloud, one doesn’t need to worry about cyber-attacks or security risks. Google Cloud deploys all the necessary preventive measures to keep your container registry protected.
How Much Does Google Container Registry Cost?
Google Container Registry charges storage and network usage costs. The standard storage bucket comes at $0.026 per GB. Other than that, your bill includes vulnerability scanning and network egress costs.
Is Google Container Registry Cost-Efficient?
Keeping in mind the billing and pricing of other Docker repositories, Google Container Registry offers affordable pricing. It is expensive compared to some, while being cheaper than many.
However, the features and services it provides make it a very cost-efficient option.
Comparing Google Container Registry with its Competitors
A lot of companies and platforms offer container registries as it is an efficient business solution to streamline Docker projects and adding to the productivity. As you sit down to find a container registry, the list goes on and on…
Here are some top competitors to Google Container Registry that also serve as great alternatives. Let’s compare and contrast a few:
1. Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR)
Amazon ECR is a great registry choice for developers to store and manage Docker images. It uses simple tools and offers an easy setup. When compared to Google Container Registry, Amazon ECR is definitely easier to set up; however, it comes with an expensive pricing tier.
2. Docker Hub
Docker Hub is a huge and well-reputed name in the world of Docker images. With more than 100,000 free apps and pipeline automation, it lets you create and use public as well as private registries.
However, a lot of developers have moved from Docker Hub to other private repositories considering its higher pricing plan and public orientation.
3. Azure Container Registry
Over the years, Azure has provided some of the best business solutions. It is an open-source Docker registry that lets you store and manage images, no matter the type of container deployment.
According to the users, Azure Container Registry is a bit more expensive compared to Google Container Registry but delivers better support and meets user requirements efficiently.
4. Harbor
Most of the world-class enterprises rely on Harbor to manage and distribute Docker images. It is also an open-source container registry with a wide range of functionalities to meet the basic needs and business objectives of enterprises.
Harbor is well-known for its management, customer support, and identity and security services.
5. Alibaba Container Registry
Alibaba Container Registry is another cloud-based solution for the storage, management, and distribution of Docker images. Available across all the regions, it delivers secure management, easy creation, and registry maintenance.
It is known for offering other top-notch cloud services such as Container Service at an affordable and cost-effective price. For developers looking forward to using Docker in the cloud, Alibaba offers many optimized solutions!
Conclusion
The Google Container Registry is gaining increased popularity given its ease of building, use, and storage. It is the best option for storing and managing your Docker images while establishing controlled access. It offers cheaper storage and network services than most of the Docker container registries out there!
So, what are you waiting for? Get started with Google Container Registry and add to your team’s productivity!