Azure runs on Linux? What? Small portions do, but it's misleading to say it "runs on Linux".

Edit: clarifying

Sarcasm? I imagine that they're not emulating the Linux Kernel on Windows... From what I've gathered from job postings and whatnot, their virtualization system is in line with AWS's (Xen) on Linux.

The primary backbone of Azure is an OS known as "Red Dog OS". It's based off of Windows, with much of the core kernel tailored by Dave Cutler.

When you're running Linux on Azure, it's via Hyper-V or rather the Azure flavored form of it. Windows is very much the core of Azure.

Azure Cloud Switch does use Linux - on metal I believe so no virtualization.

Edit: a word

Ah! Ok, that actually makes a bit more sense... thanks for clarifying! That's actually quite neat then.

Yup :). It's a common misconception I hear/see a lot.

My source: I work for MSFT, not on Azure but I work with their team a lot and I used to work on Windows.

Makes me more interested in Azure, actually, on the backend...not working for MSFT.

TBC, parts of Azure are now starting to migrate to pure linux on linux.

source?

If they could contribute to WINE that would be most welcome.