Microsoft Embraces Linux

The love/hate relationship between Microsoft and Linux has ultimately chosen love.
Anyone who knows their way around the internet and has come across web hosting knows that Linux is pretty much, well, amazing. System administrators and server managers alike have been up close and personal with the Linux OS on our servers since we the day we began offering superior web hosting. But to hear Microsoft admit that they too love Linux, well that’s a different story entirely.
As its primary rival, Microsoft has been actively working to stifle the growth of Linux for many years, going as far as to threaten legal action against businesses that used any form of the Linux OS. Microsoft’s claim against Linux stated that their OS infringed on Microsoft patents underpinning the Windows operating system. But now, all of that has changed…
Earlier this month Microsoft announced that they will be using their own version of Linux for some of their networking hardware in connection with their online services. Now you might be wondering: why isn’t Microsoft using Windows OS for this? The answer to that question is actually unknown. Online tech journal Wired reportedly asked Microsoft this very question multiple times and has yet to receive an answer.
The tech community at large doesn’t seem to attribute this u-turn to any lack of confidence in Microsoft’s own products; rather, it seems to be a nod of approval towards the flexibility that the Linux distros offer. Embracing the Linux OS can be seen as a way of maintaining a competitive edge. When a major majority of the world is using this open sourced software, it makes sense to join the populus.
What’s so great about Linux hosting?
Linux offers users the ability to dive deep into the source code to solve problems that may arise when tackling major networking issues, an option that doesn’t exist within the Windows operating system. As many network administrators know, while just about any task can be accomplished with a Windows OS sometimes it’s just easier to hardcode your requirements yourself.  
In a Microsoft blog post announcing their plans to add Linux to their roster Kamala Subramaniam, their Principal Architect, writes;
“The Azure Cloud Switch (ACS) is our foray into building our own software for running network devices like switches. It is a cross-platform modular operating system for data center networking built on Linux. ACS allows us to debug, fix, and test software bugs much faster. It also allows us the flexibility to scale down the software and develop features that are required[..].”
Subramaniam explains how Microsoft has learnt that to keep pace with other major networks an open sourced and truly flexible OS is required. The post also explains that they will make their version of Linux available to the public in the traditional open sourced fashion. This will allow others to access the benefits of Microsoft’s discoveries and hard work within the Microsoft distro of Linux.
While most networkers utilized the wonders of Linux ages ago, the world is still pretty enthusiastic about Microsoft’s latest developments. As open source lovers we applaud Microsoft and all of their efforts to spread technological knowledge around the globe. With the dissolution of this famous feud we will all await the next enemy-turned-collaboration. Who knows, we could soon see a world where cats are working with dogs, Hatfield’s love McCoys and Montegues are collaborating with Capulets.   
To learn more about our own selection of operating systems, featuring both Windows and Linux as well as our unbeatable network, visit Midphase.com