| Attribute | | | | |
|---|
| KubernetesTerm | Cluster | Node | Pod | Container |
| OldSchoolInfraAnalogy | Data Center / Server Room | Physical Server / VM | IIS Application Pool + Site Binding | Running Application Process (e.g., w3wp.exe) |
| RealWorldAnalogy | Room | Table | Person at table | Action or Function (e.g., talk, pray, serve tea) |
| CanContainMultiple | true | true | true | false |
| Description | The full environment where all computing happens. | A single machine that runs one or more application instances. | A deployable unit that wraps one or more containers that run together. | The actual function that person performs — isolated and focused. |