How does a microservices architecture relate to Docker?

A microservices architecture is designed to break down an application into smaller, loosely coupled services that can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently. This approach allows for greater flexibility and agility in development, as individual components can be updated without needing to take down the entire application.

Docker plays a crucial role in this architecture by providing containerization technology. Each microservice can be packaged into its own container, along with all its dependencies, ensuring that it runs consistently across different environments. This encapsulation simplifies deployment and scaling, allowing organizations to manage their microservices more efficiently. With Docker, teams can quickly deploy updates, scale services based on demand, and isolate services from one another to minimize potential disruptions.

The other options do not align with the core principles of microservices or Docker. For instance, combining all components into a single service contradicts the very definition of microservices. Saying that microservices eliminate the need for containers also misses the essential role that containerization plays in their deployment and management. Finally, a monolithic approach runs counter to the microservices paradigm, which emphasizes decomposition and independence of services.