Wait, what the fuck happened to Docker Enterprise? I went on vacation and came back to Mirantis?

Yeah, November 2019. Docker Inc. decided enterprise customers were too much work and sold the whole enterprise division to Mirantis. Your $50K/year Docker Enterprise license became a Mirantis Container Runtime license overnight. Same price, different company, theoretically better support.

Is my shit going to keep working or do I need to panic and start updating my resume?

Chill. Mirantis kept full Docker API compatibility because they're not idiots. Your docker-compose files, Dockerfiles, and scripts all work exactly the same. They literally just replaced the support team with people who understand their own product.

Should I migrate to Mirantis or just cut my losses and move to OpenShift?

Depends how much pain you can tolerate. Staying with Mirantis = zero migration pain but you're stuck paying enterprise prices for Docker. Moving to OpenShift = 6 months of migration hell but you get a platform that's designed for enterprise from the ground up. Pick your poison.

How much is this going to cost me now that Mirantis owns it?

Same $1,125/node/year minimum. They didn't jack up prices (yet) because they're not completely stupid. But if you want 24/7 support that actually works, budget for OpsCare at $3K+/node. The basic 8x5 support is better than Docker's was, but still useless when prod is down at 2am.

Docker Swarm is dead, right? Should I start migrating to Kubernetes now?

Swarm isn't officially dead but it's in hospice care. Mirantis keeps it alive because killing it would trigger customer riots, but all development focus is on Kubernetes. Start planning your K8s migration now because you'll be forced into it eventually.

What's this MKE thing and why should I care?

Mirantis Kubernetes Engine - it's what Universal Control Plane should have been. Web interface that loads in under 30 seconds, K8s that doesn't randomly break, and RBAC that actually works. If you're stuck in the Mirantis ecosystem, MKE is actually decent.

Can I just use Docker CE and avoid this whole enterprise clusterfuck?

Sure, if you like living dangerously. Docker CE works great until it doesn't, and when it breaks, you're on your own. No FIPS compliance, no enterprise support, no vulnerability scanning. Fine for startups, career suicide for anyone with compliance requirements.

Will Mirantis jack up the prices like Oracle always does?

Probably, but they're playing the long game. They need to keep customers happy for now because everyone's looking for exit strategies. Give it 2-3 years and expect "market adjustment" price increases.

What happened to all my DTR vulnerability scans and image policies?

They migrated to Mirantis Secure Registry, which is actually better than DTR. Faster scans, better UI, same compliance features. One of the few things that genuinely improved in the transition.

Should I be worried about vendor lock-in with Mirantis?

You're already locked in if you're using Docker-specific features. But Mirantis is small enough that getting acquired or going out of business is a real risk. Have an exit strategy ready, but don't panic about it.

Is the support actually better now or is that just marketing bullshit?

It's legitimately better. Docker support was famous for taking days to respond with useless suggestions. Mirantis actually answers tickets within hours and their engineers know what they're talking about. Low bar, but they cleared it.

My Windows containers are still broken. Did Mirantis fix that nightmare?

Windows containers are still a nightmare, but they're a *consistent* nightmare now. MCR on Windows actually starts containers reliably, which is apparently revolutionary technology. Windows container upgrades still require rebooting every node though - plan for a very long maintenance window. Still avoid Windows containers if you can, but if you can't, MCR is your best bet.

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Docker Enterprise to Mirantis Container Runtime: Operational Intelligence

Executive Summary

Docker Enterprise ($1,125/node/year) was Docker's admission that Docker CE fails in production at scale. Sold to Mirantis in November 2019 due to Docker's inability to monetize enterprise customers. Now operates as Mirantis Container Runtime (MCR) with improved support quality but same pricing model.

Critical Context & Business Reality

Why Docker Enterprise Existed

Root Problem: Docker CE fails in production beyond handful of containers
Security Gap: Docker CE has zero access controls - unacceptable for compliance
Reliability Issues: Docker CE breaks on routine kernel updates with ECONNREFUSED errors
Windows Containers: Docker CE broken "every other Tuesday" - MCR actually works consistently

The Acquisition (November 2019)

Reason: Docker Inc. admitted they "couldn't figure out how to make money from enterprise customers"
Customer Base: 750 enterprise customers paying $5K-$50K+ annually
Strategic Shift: Docker focused on Docker Desktop, abandoned enterprise infrastructure

Technical Specifications & Failure Modes

Docker CE vs Enterprise Reality

Component	Docker CE (Free)	Docker Enterprise/MCR	Failure Impact
Scale Limit	Handful of containers	Production scale	UI breaks at 1000+ spans, making distributed debugging impossible
Kernel Updates	Random failures post-update	Tested compatibility	`Failed to create endpoint` errors, systemd integration breaks
Support Response	GitHub issues only	2-4 hours (ProdCare)	3am production failures = solo debugging
Security Compliance	None	FIPS 140-2, DISA STIG	Audit failures, regulatory non-compliance
Windows Containers	Broken every other Tuesday	Consistent operation	Deployment pipeline Russian roulette

Known Critical Issues

MCR 23.0.14 Memory Leak

Symptom: containerd integration kills nodes after 72 hours uptime
Impact: Requires scheduled node restarts every 3 days
Status: Acknowledged by Mirantis (improvement over Docker's denial)

MKE 3.7 → 3.8 Upgrade Failure

Trigger: Custom RBAC policies with wildcards in resource names
Impact: Half of users lose access during upgrade
Timing: Discovered during 3am emergency upgrade
Workaround: Remove wildcard RBAC policies before upgrade

Windows Container Upgrades

Requirement: Reboot every node during upgrades
Planning: Expect extended maintenance windows
Reality: Still avoid Windows containers if possible

Cost Analysis & Resource Requirements

Pricing Structure (Current)

Base Cost: $1,125/node/year (minimum viable)
Support Tiers:
- LabCare: Cheaper but slow (dev environments)
- ProdCare: $3K+/node for 24/7 response (production minimum)
- OpsCare: $5K+/node for managed service (enterprise standard)

Real TCO Comparison

Platform	Annual Cost/Node	Learning Curve	Migration Time	Production Readiness
MCR/MKE	$1,125-$5,000	Zero (Docker compatible)	None from Docker Enterprise	Works if you pay enough
OpenShift	$3,000+	Steep (OpenShift Way™)	6+ months	Production-ready by design
Docker CE	$0	Zero	N/A	Fails at scale, no compliance

Hidden Costs

Expertise Requirement: Need engineers familiar with Docker debugging
Downtime Risk: Docker CE = 3am solo debugging sessions
Compliance Gap: Docker CE fails security audits = project delays
Windows Tax: Windows container reliability requires enterprise licensing

Migration Decision Matrix

Stay with Mirantis MCR

Choose When:

Already invested in Docker tooling/expertise
Need immediate Docker API compatibility
Cannot tolerate 6-month migration projects
Windows containers are requirement

Risks:

Vendor lock-in with smaller company (acquisition/bankruptcy risk)
Paying enterprise prices for Docker-level technology
Swarm deprecation forces eventual K8s migration

Migrate to OpenShift

Choose When:

Need enterprise-grade platform from ground up
Have 6+ months for migration project
Budget supports $3K+/node pricing
Want to eliminate Docker dependencies

Costs:

6-month migration timeline minimum
Complete tooling/process overhaul required
Steep learning curve for OpenShift patterns
Red Hat ecosystem lock-in

Downgrade to Docker CE

Choose When:

Development/testing environments only
No compliance requirements
Have expert Docker debugging skills
Can accept production reliability risks

Consequences:

No enterprise support when production fails
Security audit failures guaranteed
Scale limitations become hard constraints
Windows containers remain unreliable

Operational Warnings & Workarounds

Critical Production Issues

Docker Hub Rate Limits: Docker CE hits rate limits, breaking builds
Vulnerability Scanning: Docker CE provides zero vulnerability detection
Access Control: Docker CE has no RBAC - anyone can destroy production
Compliance: Docker CE fails FIPS, SOC2, and government requirements

Support Quality Reality

Mirantis Support (Post-Acquisition)

Improvement: Actually understands their own product
Response Time: 2-4 hours for production issues (ProdCare)
Knowledge Base: Engineers can debug Docker networking at 3am
Escalation: Honest roadmap - K8s first, Swarm maintenance mode

Docker Support (Historical)

Response Pattern: "Have you tried restarting?" followed by K8s suggestions
Timeline: 2-3 days for initial response
Effectiveness: Useless for production emergencies
Knowledge: Often suggested solutions that broke more things

Technology Transition Intelligence

Swarm Deprecation Timeline

Official Status: Maintenance mode only
Development Focus: 100% Kubernetes
Migration Pressure: Will be forced eventually
Planning Horizon: Start K8s migration planning now

Container Runtime Evolution

Direction: containerd becoming standard
Docker Compatibility: Maintained for now
Future Risk: Docker API may diverge from standards
Hedge Strategy: Begin containerizing with standard OCI tools

Decision Support Framework

Use MCR/MKE When:

Currently running Docker Enterprise
Need zero-migration transition
Windows containers are mandatory
Team expertise is Docker-focused
Cannot budget 6-month platform migration

Migrate to OpenShift When:

Starting new container platform
Need enterprise compliance from day one
Have budget for proper platform engineering
Team can invest in learning OpenShift patterns
Want to eliminate Docker dependencies entirely

Risk Mitigation Strategies:

Vendor Lock-in: Maintain exit strategy documentation
Cost Escalation: Budget for 20% annual price increases
Technology Shift: Begin K8s skill development regardless of platform choice
Support Dependency: Maintain internal Docker expertise as backup

Reference URLs for Implementation

Essential Documentation

MCR Documentation - Actually readable enterprise docs
MKE Documentation - Improved over UCP documentation
Docker Enterprise Migration Guide - Customer retention tool

Cost & Procurement

Mirantis Store - Official pricing and licensing
Mirantis Support Portal - Support tier comparison

Alternative Analysis

Red Hat OpenShift - Primary alternative platform
Docker CE - Free but unsupported option
MCR vs Docker CE Comparison - Value proposition justification

Historical Context

Mirantis Acquisition Announcement - Official transition announcement
Docker Production Horror Stories - Why enterprise versions exist
TechCrunch on Mirantis $100M Run Rate - Post-acquisition success metrics

Useful Links for Further Investigation

Useful Links (And Some You Should Avoid)

Link	Description
Mirantis Store	This is the official Mirantis online store where users can purchase licenses and services, often associated with enterprise software pricing.
MCR Documentation	Provides comprehensive and actually readable documentation for Mirantis Container Runtime (MCR), a rare quality for enterprise software platforms.
MKE Documentation	Offers detailed documentation for Mirantis Kubernetes Engine (MKE), which is generally considered an improvement over previous UCP documentation.
Mirantis Support Portal	The official portal for Mirantis customers to access support, submit tickets, and find solutions when encountering issues with their Mirantis products.
Red Hat OpenShift	Red Hat OpenShift is a leading enterprise Kubernetes platform, often considered a robust but more expensive alternative for container orchestration.
Docker CE	Official documentation for Docker Community Edition (CE), the free version of Docker Engine, which relies on community support for troubleshooting.
Docker Enterprise Migration Guide	A guide provided by Mirantis detailing the process of migrating from Docker Enterprise, often seen as an attempt to retain existing customers.
Kubernetes Setup Guide	Official Kubernetes documentation providing guidance on setting up a production-ready Kubernetes environment, including details on container runtimes.
Docker's Retired Products Page	This page lists Docker's discontinued and retired products, serving as a historical record of abandoned enterprise initiatives and past offerings.
Mirantis Acquisition Announcement	The official press release announcing Mirantis' acquisition of Docker Enterprise assets, marking a significant shift in Docker's enterprise strategy.
TechCrunch on Mirantis $100M Run Rate	A TechCrunch article discussing Mirantis' financial performance, specifically its achievement of a $100 million run rate after acquiring Docker Enterprise assets.
Docker Swarm vs Kubernetes 2024	A detailed technical comparison between Docker Swarm and Kubernetes, offering insights into their differences and guidance for potential migration strategies.
How Docker Broke in Half	An InfoWorld analysis article examining the events and reasons behind the sale of Docker Enterprise, leading to a significant split in Docker's business.
Docker's New Direction Post-Mirantis	An official press release from Docker outlining its strategic restructuring and new focus following the acquisition of its enterprise division by Mirantis.
MCR vs Docker CE Comparison	This comparison details the differences between Mirantis Container Runtime (MCR) and Docker CE, explaining the value proposition and reasons behind enterprise software costs.
CNCF Runtime Landscape	Provides a comprehensive and often overwhelming chart of all available container runtime options within the Cloud Native Computing Foundation ecosystem.
Docker Production Horror Stories	Recounts various challenges and failures encountered when deploying Docker in production environments, highlighting the initial need for enterprise solutions.
Mirantis Training	Offers official training courses to help users learn how to effectively utilize Mirantis' suite of expensive enterprise software solutions.
Kubernetes the Hard Way	A renowned guide by Kelsey Hightower for setting up a Kubernetes cluster from scratch, emphasizing a deep understanding over automated tools.

Docker Enterprise to Mirantis Container Runtime: Operational Intelligence

Executive Summary

Critical Context & Business Reality

Why Docker Enterprise Existed

The Acquisition (November 2019)

Technical Specifications & Failure Modes

Docker CE vs Enterprise Reality

Known Critical Issues

MCR 23.0.14 Memory Leak

MKE 3.7 → 3.8 Upgrade Failure

Windows Container Upgrades

Cost Analysis & Resource Requirements

Pricing Structure (Current)

Real TCO Comparison

Hidden Costs

Migration Decision Matrix

Stay with Mirantis MCR

Migrate to OpenShift

Downgrade to Docker CE

Operational Warnings & Workarounds

Critical Production Issues

Support Quality Reality

Mirantis Support (Post-Acquisition)

Docker Support (Historical)

Technology Transition Intelligence

Swarm Deprecation Timeline

Container Runtime Evolution

Decision Support Framework

Use MCR/MKE When:

Migrate to OpenShift When:

Risk Mitigation Strategies:

Reference URLs for Implementation

Essential Documentation

Cost & Procurement

Alternative Analysis

Historical Context

Useful Links for Further Investigation

Useful Links (And Some You Should Avoid)

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