More Linux than Windows systems run on Azure
Summary
Microsoft developer Sasha Levin reports that Linux VMs have overtaken Windows Server on Azure in numbers and that Microsoft therefore contributes heavily to the kernel. In 2019 Sasha Levin cited more Linux than Windows VMs on Azure. Azure originally started as a Microsoft-centred platform.
Ideas
- Cloud customers choose operating systems regardless of their provider's platform history.
- Linux support became a core business function for Azure.
- Microsoft employs developers for kernel, driver and security maintenance.
- Hypervisor integration requires continuous work in the upstream kernel.
Insights
- Customer demand can change earlier platform strategies more than corporate identity.
- Open source contributions become strategic as soon as your own service depends on them.
- Cloud platforms compete for workloads rather than over a single operating system.
Facts
- Microsoft is one of the active contributors to the Linux kernel.
Recommendations
- Assess cloud offerings by the portability of your workloads.
- Prefer driver changes in the upstream kernel over permanent special patches.
References
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