Microsoft has created its own version of Linux — a product Steve Ballmer once likened to 'cancer'

Business Insider ^ | 09/18/2015 | Matt Weinberger

[SeekAndFind]

This week, Microsoft unveiled Azure Cloud Switch, a boring-sounding product that's only interesting to developers and IT professionals working on the bleeding edge of networking technology. The scandalous part is actually under the hood: Azure Cloud Switch is, at the core, a specialized version of Linux — a free operating system that former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer once referred to as "a cancer."

Linux, created in the early 1990s by incredibly influential programming firebrand Linus Torvalds and further developed by a veritable army of volunteers from around the world, never quite toppled the dominance of Microsoft Windows on the desktop.

But it's the operating system of choice in the data center, where "free" is a very important part of the equation when you're planning on installing the software on hundreds of thousands of servers. Plus, Linux provides an important part of the core of Google Android, giving it an extreme reach.

Under Ballmer, Microsoft treated Linux as enemy number one, given the threat it posed to its all-important Windows business. Microsoft had an internal "Linux compete" initiative with strategies to combat the operating system in all sorts of ways, from product to marketing.

Ballmer and Bill Gates even recorded a bizarre parody of "The Matrix" where they took potshots at Linux, claiming it was too hard for non-technical people to use (which wasn't exactly wrong).

Microsoft's new CEO, Satya Nadella, has softened his stance on Linux considerably. Under his leadership, Microsoft has begun enabling support for Linux on flagship products like its Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform. Nadella even boldly declared that "Microsoft Loves Linux" at a press event shortly after taking command of the company.

[SeekAndFind]

CLICK ABOVE LINK TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE BILL/GATES/STEVE BALLMER PARODY OF LINUX.

[so_real]

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win."
--Mahatma Gandhi

[Noumenon]

I'm liking Linux Mint w/the Cinnamon desktop. Moving my soon to be ex to it. Seriously, though, she'll be better off with it, as it is better organized than Win Whatever.

[Tonytitan]

I just switched to Mint. Once I figure out how to get DTS-HD audio from my HTPC to my AVR it’s bye bye Microsoft!

[so_real]

I was a *huge* fan of Linux Mint from my introduction to it around version 14 through version 17. But then, in 17.1 they consumed the "systemd" kool-aid along with the upstream distribution. There is no valid argument to support the feature creep and invasive nature of systemd. The folks at RedHat are putting a microkernel on top of the kernel to position themselves as the arbiter of all system input and output. Systemd is big brother and I don't trust it. So ... after much looking around I switched to PCLinuxOS (http://www.pclinuxos.com/). And I haven't looked back. It is 9/10's of the polish of Linux Mint without the systemd cancer. I highly recommend the Mate desktop version.

[Secret Agent Man]

“Microsoft moves to officially f*ck up Linux”

[Paine in the Neck]

Copy. Co-opt. Corrupt. Kill.

[SunkenCiv]

Heh.

[dayglored]

Posted last night http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3338207/posts

[dayglored]

Actually same topic but different article.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The old “embrace, extend, extinguish” routine.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Is systemd something like .NET?

[Grimmy]

“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win.”
—Mahatma Gandhi

Before that can be worth anything, it has to be proved against a force that doesn’t give a damn about public opinion.

[Dalberg-Acton]

Systemd handles starting all the processes that are required to start the Linux operating system, and .NET is just an application that runs on Windows (and more recently Linux and Mac).

[so_real]

When systemd was birthed, it was supposed to be an evolved update to the "init" system ... the "initialization" system ... that brings the various processes of the operating system online in an ordered fashion. (Each services has to start in turn. For example, you have to have a network interface up and running before you can attach an email server to it. Etc.)

But like a cancer it has exploded well beyond its initial goals. Now it comes with its own application services, terminals, network stack, and most recently a "switch user" command. Essentialy, systemd is positioning itself such that every input and output on the system must pass through it before reaching the Linux kernel or the end user.

Truly cringeworthy with regard to security, stability, and reliability.

[usconservative]

Azure Cloud Switch is, at the core, a specialized version of Linux

Three words: SOFTWARE DEFINED NETWORKING.

We are rapidly approaching the point where physical routers, switches, etc.. will no longer be needed. Standard/commodity server hardware available anywhere will run Virtual Machines running Linux and providing all Routing,Switching, Load-Balancing, etc.. network services.

The large multi-national bank I work for is already heavily invested in Converged Infrastructure, SDN (Software Defined Networking) is going to become very real.

[TexasRepublic]

“Truly cringeworthy with regard to security, stability, and reliability.”

It is too soon for me to speak on the security aspect, but so far I have seen no difference in stability or reliabilty. Systemd is transparent to the end-users.

[so_real]

<grin> Man in the middle attacks generally are transparent to the end-users by design.