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What technology allows Docker containers to effectively share the underlying operating system?

  1. Virtual Machines

  2. Namespaces

  3. Containers

  4. Hypervisors

The correct answer is: Namespaces

The correct choice highlights the role of namespaces in Docker containers. Namespaces are a core feature of the Linux kernel that provide isolation for system resources without the overhead of full virtualization. By utilizing namespaces, Docker containers can share the same underlying operating system while still maintaining separate environments for each container. This allows for the process and file system isolation crucial for security and stability, as each container operates as if it is its own separate instance of the operating system. Using namespaces, Docker can create lightweight, portable, and efficient containers that share resources like network interfaces and process trees, leading to less overhead compared to traditional virtual machines. This efficient sharing mechanism is a key advantage of containerization technology, allowing developers to run multiple containers on the same host without the need for a hypervisor or virtual machine, which would require a separate operating system for each instance.