Microsoft has made a surprising move by releasing its first complete Linux distribution: Azure Linux 4.0, which is now supported on Azure and can also run on desktop environments using the Windows Subsystem for Linux.
During the recent Open Source Summit North America, Brendan Burns, Microsoft’s Corporate VP of Azure, announced this new development, stating that Linux had gradually become the dominant operating system on Azure over the past decade. This announcement marks a significant milestone for Microsoft, which has transitioned from previously denouncing Linux to embracing it as a fundamental part of its operations.
Azure Linux 4.0 appears as a split from Azure Container Linux and offers a general-purpose virtual machine image tailored for all Azure customers, not just those using Azure Kubernetes Service. The distribution has evolved from years of internal use, building upon previous iterations, notably the Mariner distribution.
Internally, Azure Linux 4.0 is based on Fedora Linux and aims to provide a streamlined environment optimized for Azure, ensuring that users have a consistent experience whether they’re developing locally or deploying on the cloud. It will be delivered as an open distribution on GitHub, with Microsoft curating the packages and integrating closely with its infrastructure.
Microsoft has also announced plans for Azure Container Linux, a hardened, immutable operating system designed specifically for container workloads. This productization of Flatcar Linux aims to enhance security and stability within Azure’s ecosystem.
Transitioning from earlier versions will be straightforward for existing Azure Linux users, as Microsoft is committed to not disrupting their workflows and providing support for two years. Regular security updates are promised, and users can choose to automate upgrades or manually opt-out if they prefer to maintain custom setups.
With this launch, Microsoft solidifies its position in the burgeoning AI landscape where Linux has become the de facto standard for running AI applications. The company has acknowledged that it deeply relies on Linux for critical platforms, including Microsoft 365 and OpenAI’s services. This new Linux distribution showcases Microsoft’s commitment and recognition of Linux’s importance in the cloud computing and AI sectors.
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