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Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

techcrunch.com

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Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#21

Post by jonathanyc »

lobster_johnson wrote: post #7

The article pretends to answer why they're using Linux instead of the NT kernel, but the answer is either incomplete or a non sequitur; it seems to imply that since the devices has very little power, their kernel isn't a good fit. I thought the NT kernel was pretty good at low power, and also has a highly respected internal design?

Good point; but if I’m reading the article correctly, it sounds like it’s because the Linux kernel is open source:

> The Microsoft-secured Linux kernel used in the Azure Sphere IoT OS is shared under an OSS license so that silicon partners can rapidly enable new silicon innovations.” And those partners are also very comfortable with taking an open-source release and integrating that with their products.

I think it’d be cool if they released an open-source NT kernel for this, for diversity of kernels and because of NT’s reputation like you mentioned previously, but maybe they’re betting on there being many more engineers with Linux-based IoT development experience.

As an aside, really impressed with Microsoft recently. I’m still grossed out by the privacy policy of Windows 10, but it really seems like they’ve come up with an excellent strategy for the next decade.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#23

Post by walrus01 »

yndoendo wrote: post #4

Still cannot understand the IoT mentality. It is actually the CoT Communication of Things. Internet shouldn't be required to turn your lights on or off nor be the device communication backbone in an industrial enviornment. Internet should always be the last resort for communicating because of the distance.

https://twitter.com/internetofshit?lang=en

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#24

Post by bsder »

duxup wrote: post #5
yndoendo wrote: post #4

Still cannot understand the IoT mentality. It is actually the CoT Communication of Things. Internet shouldn't be required to turn your lights on or off nor be the device communication backbone in an industrial enviornment. Internet should always be the last resort for communicating because of the distance.

I can't monitor you or turn your light switch into a "service" that involves reoccurring payments if we don't use the internet to connect.... /s

And you also can't get a security update when someone figures out how to turn your lightbulbs into a botnet.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#25

Post by SteveJS »

lobster_johnson wrote: post #7

The article pretends to answer why they're using Linux instead of the NT kernel, but the answer is either incomplete or a non sequitur; it seems to imply that since the devices has very little power, their kernel isn't a good fit. I thought the NT kernel was pretty good at low power, and also has a highly respected internal design?

Drastically simplified source access for the silicon partners seems more important for the business case. I agree the power aspect, absent more specifics, sounds wrong.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#26

Post by jamiek88 »

bsder wrote: post #24
duxup wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't monitor you or turn your light switch into a "service" that involves reoccurring payments if we don't use the internet to connect.... /s

And you also can't get a security update when someone figures out how to turn your lightbulbs into a botnet.

If it's not on the internet it can't become part of a botnet.

You lose functionality though, like being able to check doors etc. remotely.

I trust Apple and I trust Homekit so I'm not too concerned with that.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#27

Post by drbojingle »

Operyl wrote: post #15
JudasGoat wrote: post #3

Someone has been predicting that Microsoft would in the future produce their own Linux Distro on Slashdot for the last 5 years. I remember thinking it sounded impossible for for the first few years. Seems prophetic now.

If you say the same thing long enough one day it’ll be true in some way (little or big).

To bad your statement isn't one of those things.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#28

Post by kelnos »

I'm confused: they're saying the devices have an ARM A7 chip (presumably they mean Cortex-A7) in them, which is a full 32-bit microprocessor, but they're calling them "microcontrollers"?

I would think Windows could run on a Cortex-A7, no? Perhaps the specific parts they're using have a ridiculously-low clock rate or other painful limitations?

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#29

Post by russellbeattie »

yndoendo wrote: post #4

Still cannot understand the IoT mentality. It is actually the CoT Communication of Things. Internet shouldn't be required to turn your lights on or off nor be the device communication backbone in an industrial enviornment. Internet should always be the last resort for communicating because of the distance.

Totally with you. Maybe I'm a pessimist or a luddite or something, but I really don't think IoT devices should be connected directly to the Internet. Most are just too simple, underpowered or cheaply made to adequately defend themselves from attacks. IoT gadgets should always talk to a more powerful/secure hub of some sort, which then is exposed to the Internet. Seriously, my WiFi lightbulb switch just has no business doing anything outside my internal network...

And god help us when all these IoT devices start talking IPv6... With no NAT and anemic firewalls on most routers? Oof.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#30

Post by quickthrower2 »

Operyl wrote: post #15
JudasGoat wrote: post #3

Someone has been predicting that Microsoft would in the future produce their own Linux Distro on Slashdot for the last 5 years. I remember thinking it sounded impossible for for the first few years. Seems prophetic now.

If you say the same thing long enough one day it’ll be true in some way (little or big).

Linus is going to write his own Windows distribution
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