Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V Supports CentOS Linux

The latest interoperability move from Microsoft will certainly be welcomed by companies providing hosting services, especially if they rely on CenOS while also running Windows Server.

Since the deal with Novel, the Redmond company has been focusing on enhancing support for the Linux open source operating system in relation to its own Windows Server platform.

Presenting Microsoft’s keynote at the Open Source Business Conference today, Sandy Gupta, General Manager of Marketing, Open Solutions Group, will unveil a new expansion of support for Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V, which now will play nice with Linux-based CentOS.

CentOS is a distribution of Linux used by hosters, which will now be able to consolidate on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, when it comes down to building and managing virtualization assets.

“This development enables our Hosting partners to consolidate their mixed Windows + Linux infrastructure on Windows Server Hyper-V; reducing cost and complexity, while betting on an enterprise class virtualization platform. I want to thank the Microsoft Open Source Technology Center for the work they have done with the community to make this possible,” Gupta said.

When I talked with Microsoft representatives, especially those working to enhance interoperability with open source solutions as well as improve Linux support, they always stressed the fact that the company is increasingly aware of the needs of customers with mixed-cloud environments.

Support for CentOS for example was introduced after Hosters and Service Providers around the world provided feedback to Microsoft on how they were running their environments.

“Microsoft continues to work on becoming more open in how we develop solutions, work with the open source communities, and how we’re making mixed source solutions a reality for businesses as they transition to the Cloud,” Gupta added.

“Clearly, there’s more to be done especially as we think about the evolution of Cloud architectures and the growth of IT in emerging markets. We like to think that we have a mature IT ecosystem today, but in many ways, it is still in its infancy and there is a lot more scope of IT Automation is the promise of the cloud. Technologies continue to emerge and evolve.

“Innovation cycles are becoming shorter. Businesses are increasingly dependent on, and demanding of, their IT resources. There are many challenges – and opportunities – ahead of us. Competition is healthy, but collaboration will be the tide that raises all boats.”