Microsoft submits source code for Linux kernel

In a move that has Linux backers hailing it as an endorsement of the open-source development model, Microsoft on Monday submitted source code for inclusion to the Linux kernel under a GPLv2 license. The code consists of four drivers that will provide hooks for any distribution of Linux to run on Windows Server 2008 and Microsoft's Hyper-V hypervisor technology.

Linux driver project lead Kroah-Hartman said he accepted 22,000 lines of Microsoft's code on Monday. The Microsoft code will be available as part of the next Linux public tree release before becoming part of the 2.6.30.1 stable release.

Of course, such a move by Microsoft will only heap the pressure on virtualization rival VMware. While VMware already has certified kernel mode drivers, they are not part of the mainstream kernel and administrators need to install them separately. At the moment, VMware has yet to react or comment to this bold move by Microsoft.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Computerworld
- check out this article at NetworkWorld

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