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Swarm

Simple, stable, and scalable container orchestration, backwards compatible with the original Docker Swarm

Streamline deployment and operations for container workloads with Swarm, (originally developed by Docker), included as part of Mirantis Kubernetes Engine, the enterprise container platform that lets you choose the right orchestrator for each workload and team.

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Mirantis Kubernetes Engine

Formerly Docker Enterprise Universal Control Plane / UCP

Simplify Swarm operations with an easy-to-use web UI, automated cluster provisioning, and enterprise-grade management experience — while also providing Kubernetes for applications that need it.

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Easily manage Swarm cluster operations using the Mirantis Kubernetes Engine web UI.

Enterprise Swarm

  • Reduce time-to-value. Manage containers easily using a lightweight orchestrator that requires less training time and effort.

  • Decrease risk. Maximize production uptime for core applications with secure and supported container environments that are FIPS and DISA STIG compliant.

  • Avoid lock-in. Run Swarm on private or public clouds or bare metal — and on a range of popular Linux distributions or Windows Server.

  • Leverage open source. Save money and maintain control by using a full stack of open source-based technologies that are production-proven, scalable, and extensible.

How it works

Swarm is an enterprise-ready container orchestrator that makes it incredibly easy to deploy simple cloud native applications on Linux or Windows. It’s a complete solution that handles scheduling, networking, storage, health management, and monitoring of containers in a cluster running on Linux or Windows hosts. With Swarm, many Day 1 and Day 2 operations are already done for you, so you can focus more time on building innovative cloud native applications.

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Simplified container orchestration

Get up and running quickly using the familiar Docker CLI or choose the intuitive web UI for easy cluster monitoring and management.

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Security compliance by default

Deploy a FIPS 140-2 and DISA STIG compliant solution complete with TLS authentication, application isolation, and role-based access control (RBAC).

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Secure software supply chain

Combine with Mirantis Secure Registry (MSR) to protect your development pipeline from malicious container images.

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Swarm, Kubernetes, or both

Different apps — and different teams — have different container orchestration needs. With MKE, use Swarm, Kubernetes, or both, managed with a single web UI.Different apps and teams have different container orchestration needs. Use Swarm, Kubernetes, or both, managed with a single web UI.

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OpsCare:

Proactive Support

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24x7 support for production workloads

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Proactive support with active monitoring and alerting

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Escalation management

Is Swarm for Me?

With so much focus and attention in the market around Kubernetes, you may be asking yourself, “Is Swarm right for me?” In fact, if you are just starting out on your Cloud Native journey, or you only have a small number of containers to deploy, then Swarm may be an excellent choice for your initial deployments. Of course, if you are coming from an existing Docker-based environment, then Swarm will be a natural choice for your use.

Who Should use Swarm?

  • Developer-led organizations

  • Organizations with small operations teams

  • Teams that are newer to container orchestration

  • Teams that need a quick way to deploy production-ready clusters at scale, but do not need the extensions and customizations only available in Kubernetes

Benefits of Swarm

  • Less complex than Kubernetes, making it easier to learn

  • Secure by default

  • Automated load balancing included

  • Works with the Docker CLI, so there’s no need to learn another CLI if you’re coming from a Docker environment

Disadvantages of Swarm

  • Tied to the Docker API, limiting functionality to that of Docker

  • Less extensible and modular as Kubernetes

Fortunately, with Mirantis Kubernetes Engine, you’re not locked into choosing one or the other. You can always move from Swarm to Kubernetes and back, even after your cluster is deployed. It’s a great solution to get started with Swarm, while providing an on-ramp for future Kubernetes adoption.

Is Swarm for Me?

With so much focus and attention in the market around Kubernetes, you may be asking yourself, “Is Swarm right for me?” In fact, if you are just starting out on your Cloud Native journey, or you only have a small number of containers to deploy, then Swarm may be an excellent choice for your initial deployments. Of course, if you are coming from an existing Docker-based environment, then Swarm will be a natural choice for your use.

Who Should use Swarm?

  • Developer-led organizations

  • Organizations with small operations teams

  • Teams that are newer to container orchestration

  • Teams that need a quick way to deploy production-ready clusters at scale, but do not need the extensions and customizations only available in Kubernetes

Benefits of Swarm

  • Less complex than Kubernetes, making it easier to learn

  • Secure by default

  • Automated load balancing included

  • Works with the Docker CLI, so there’s no need to learn another CLI if you’re coming from a Docker environment

Disadvantages of Swarm

  • Tied to the Docker API, limiting functionality to that of Docker

  • Less extensible and modular as Kubernetes

Fortunately, with Mirantis Kubernetes Engine, you’re not locked into choosing one or the other. You can always move from Swarm to Kubernetes and back, even after your cluster is deployed. It’s a great solution to get started with Swarm, while providing an on-ramp for future Kubernetes adoption.

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Deploy Swarm with
Confidence

Mirantis continues to maintain, enhance, fully test, and support Swarm as an integral part of Mirantis Kubernetes Engine. We have a dedicated Swarm development team that focuses solely on improvements to Swarm, and we continuously roll out new features. We also have a Services and Support team of experts ready to assist you with your deployments and ongoing maintenance.

Get started with Enterprise Swarm

Want to learn more about Swarm as part of Mirantis Kubernetes Engine—or experience it for yourself?

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POSITION BRIEF:

Mirantis is committed to Swarm

Discover how Mirantis is investing in Swarm and what’s coming in our product roadmap.

READ NOW

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TUTORIAL:

Understanding Swarm

Explore Swarm and concepts like Swarm Services, Nodes, and Stacks.

LEARN NOW

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DOCUMENTATION:

Mirantis Kubernetes Engine Docs

Find out how to set up and operate Swarm as part of MKE.

READ DOCUMENTATION

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