THE ROLE OF CONTAINERIZATION AND OS-LEVEL VIRTUALIZATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLOUD-NATIVE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of modern virtualization and containerization technologies on the transformation of approaches to the design, development, and operation of information systems in cloud environments, particularly in the context of the shift from monolithic to microservices architecture. Methodology. The paper presents an in-depth analysis of the fundamental role of virtualization and containerization technologies in the transformation of cloud computing. It explores the historical development of virtualization, the influence of hypervisors, requirements for guest operating systems, and the benefits of containerization with a focus on tools such as Docker and Kubernetes. The architecture of containerized environments is analyzed, along with their integration with cloud infrastructure and the emerging requirements for base operating systems, including the use of immutable systems. Scientific Novelty. The study summarizes the modern approach to designing operating systems for containerized cloud environments. It particularly emphasizes the evolution of OS requirements, the development of specialized distributions, changes in security models, and the role of Kubernetes as a distributed cloud operating system. Future trends in OS development are outlined, including the growing role of intelligent management in cloud environments. Conclusions. Understanding the role and impact of virtualization and containerization technologies is critically important for the effective design, development, and maintenance of cloud-oriented applications. The future evolution of operating systems will move toward enhanced security, optimized hardware interaction, and the implementation of intelligent management mechanisms to ensure stability and scalability in highly dynamic cloud environments.