Yes, you show it right. Microsoft is releasing codes under GPL v2. This time, Microsoft releases Linux Drivers for Hyper-V as Open Source codes. Anyway, read on if you keen to know about the 20,000 lines of codes released.
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NEWSFLASH: Microsoft contributes code to the Linux kernel under GPL v2.
Read it again – Microsoft contributes code to the Linux kernel under GPL v2!
Today is a day that will forever be remembered at Microsoft. Today, we have announced that the Linux Integration Components for Hyper-V have been released under a GPL v2 license, and the synthetic drivers have been submitted to the Linux kernel community for inclusion in upcoming versions of the Linux kernel.
Since Microsoft has contributed the drivers under GPLv2 directly to the Linux kernel, the drivers will be available to anyone running an appropriate Linux kernel. It is our hope that Linux distributions (such as CentOS, Ubuntu, and other Linux variants) will make them available to their customers through their releases and it is our intention to work with distributors who are interested in so doing.
Why are we doing this?
Virtualization is fast becoming the de-facto model for IT organizations as it provides them with the tools for improved utilization, flexible deployment and management. As organizations select their virtualization platforms we see close to 80% of VM’s running Windows. As a virtualization platform we want to provide our customers with the tools to optimize their deployments. By releasing the integration components as open source and integrating it directly into the Linux kernel, we facilitate customers in building out their virtual infrastructure using Hyper-V. It demonstrates the commitment Microsoft has towards making Hyper-V the virtualization platform of choice.
FAQ
Where is the code being contributed?
The code is being integrated into the Linux kernel tree via the Linux Driver Project which is a team of Linux developers that develops and maintains drivers in the Linux kernel. We worked very closely with Greg Kroah-Hartman to integrate our Linux IC’s into the Linux kernel.
Will we continue to enhance the Linux integration components?
Yes, Hank Janssen and Haiyang Zhang (from the Microsoft lab in Cambridge, MA) are listed as the maintainers of the Linux IC’s. We will continue to enhance the IC’s with features such as SMP support and additional integration services (such as shutdown, KVP – key value pair exchange, etc). As these features are developed, we will contribute the code to the drivers that are part of the kernel.
Does this mean that additional distributions, such as CentOS, Ubuntu, and other distributions, are now supported?
Microsoft currently distributes IC’s for SLES 10 SP2. With the release of the RC2 version of the IC’s, we will also add support for SLES 11 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (5.2 and 5.3). These will be the only supported distributions by Microsoft. More information on SLES 11 and RHEL 5.2 / 5.3 support will be coming soon. J
However, now that the IC’s will be a part of the Linux kernel, other distributions that chose to pick these up will be compatible with Hyper-V. A customer will have to work with their Linux distribution vendor for support.
Where can I find out more?
· Microsoft PressPass: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/Jul09/07-20LinuxQA.mspx
· Channel 9 Video Link: http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/NicFill/Microsoft-Contributes-Code-to-the-Linux-Kernel/
/Dennis
