Microsoft has unveiled a new service for publishing and testing Linux distributions in Azure cloud. This move may come as a surprise to some, but Microsoft has been actively promoting Linux on its platform for quite some time. Data from 2024 revealed that over 60% of offers on Azure Marketplace and virtual machines on Azure run on Linux, a trend that has been consistent for years.
Microsoft has now taken a step further by granting access to the tool azure image testing for linux (aitl) as a service for distribution developers. This new service aims to simplify, streamline, and enhance the release and support of Linux builds on Azure. Aitl is based on Microsoft’s internal project called Lisa (Linux Integration Services Automation), which is a Linux quality validation system now available as an open project with a MIT license.
LISA is comprised of two main components: test systems and scenarios that assess the stability and compatibility of Linux images with modern standards. It enables continuous testing, from kernel updates to complex cloud workloads, including secure virtual machines, high-performance computations, and GPU scripts.
Krum Kashan, Azure Linux Platforms manager, highlights the existence of numerous tools in the ecosystem for checking Linux components but underscores the need for a comprehensive framework that covers the entire stack and is closely integrated with Azure. The new service aims to fill this gap and supports important tools like LTP and KselfTest while examining critical aspects such as network, storage, and security.
The project is spearheaded by a team led by Andrew Randall, who previously worked at the startup Kinvolk specializing in Cloud-Native Technologies for Linux. After Microsoft’s acquisition of Kinvolk, Randall shifted his focus to enhancing internal Linux support in Azure and fostering integration with the open-source community.
Microsoft is not only endorsing Linux but is also constructing a robust ecosystem around it within Azure. The ecosystem includes Kubernetes, automated quality testing, pre-configured images, and deep integration with cloud services. Microsoft refers to this initiative as a “new era,” marking the evolution from merely providing Linux support to leveraging these technologies in Microsoft’s own services.
It’s worth mentioning Steve Ballmer’s infamous statement “Linux is cancer” from the past. However, the current Microsoft is a different entity, viewing Linux not as a competitor but as a strategic partner.