Soon the 3.0 Linux kernel will be released. You might be surprised to learn that Microsoft was one of the top 5 contributors to this version — well, specifically K. Y Srinivasan, a Microsoft developer.
Although the contribution might be surprising, the reasons behind it are not. The major contribution by Microsoft was to update drivers for its Hyper-V product, which is similar to the VMware product in allowing for 64-bit virtualization on the computer. Greg Kroah-Hartman, who oversees code staging for Linux, actually threatened to remove the code because Microsoft was not being cooperative and updating it for the new version.
It seems the threat worked and was the motivation that Microsoft needed to work on the code, which will make it possible for Hyper-V to function within the new Linux kernel. Obviously the main reason Microsoft was willing to contribute is to reach its own ends; but users will be grateful for the contribution, especially developers that rely on virtualization to test products and find problems.
Still, it’s kind of poetic to know that because of this contribution, Microsoft is the number one contributor of code for the new 3.0 Linux kernel. It makes you wonder what will happen next. Maybe there are scientists out there who will bioengineer pigs to grow aerodynamic limbs from the sides of their bellies that when used will cause them to lift above the ground. After all, as the saying goes, “When pigs fly . . .” Well, you get the idea.
