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Microsoft's New Linux-Based Wireless Network
MECC points to an article about Microsoft's new wireless network. From the article "The next time Bill Gates sends an e-mail through Microsoft's shiny new Wireless LAN it will be passed through a behind-the-scenes Linux-based network appliance." Microsoft has partnered with Aruba Networks for a large corporate wireless LAN deployment, involving 277 buildings and 5000 access points, 'all Linux based.'"
If their operating system is soooo great for servers, routers, etc, why don't they use it in their own business?
Show this to your friends and family that don't know what a real hacker is
It looks like Microsoft understands something the majority of slashdot's users have trouble with.
What are you talking about? Gates has left Microsoft to go head up Novell. Where he's spearheading their new Vista wireless network system to challenge the Microsoft monopoly.
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make install -not war
Well what choice do they have when it comes to imbedded wireless APS. They can't put windows on one and not make it a full blown box sitting there wasting space and resources. This time it will be harder to eat their own dog food because if they end up making there own custom APS based on windows as a sort hey look what our stuff can do maneuver that would be labeled as stupid.
As far as microsoft is concerned, they are buying an appliance to provide a dedicated service. As any profit minded company, they should not care what it runs behind the scenes as long as TCO is low on the long run. And linux is known to be a robust OS in the embedded OS arena. So most probably it will run without any problems, meaning less out of pocket costs for m$. What do they care ? Also, they do not have any expertise in networking hardware arena, so it is not against their motto of not to use a product from the competition. I am not sure what's newsworthy about this story ? Slow Friday may be ?
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The more I know people, the more I love animals
This is old news. When my organization was looking at managed wireless vendors a year ago we did an eval of Aruba and they were already bragging about getting the Microsoft account.
That said we didn't go with Aruba, mostly because their pricing was pretty Microsoft-esque. In other words, worse than a prison shower.
So is it ... "The power of Linux brought to you by Microsoft." or
"The power of Microsoft brought to you by Linux." ???
FLR
Ballmer doesn't let his kids use Google or iPods. I don't find it so farfetched that Microsoft might have at least a slight bias towards wanting their employees to use their own products, both as a matter of company pride and as a matter of "dog food"--the more people in the company who use a product, the more bugs get squashed before the product gets released.
ttuttle is a rankmaniac
Windows Embedded. Used for all kinds of devices, including cars, network attached storage, cash registers, phones and thin clients. And according to this page at MSDN, Windows Embedded OS's can act as an access point, though nobody seems to have built a product around this yet.
Think outside the... Hey, where'd the friggin' box go?
It's really very simple. Microsoft has been talking smack about Linux for years, about how Windows is better, lower TCO, etc. Now they've been caught using Linux-based appliances.
If nothing else, it's funny. It's like an environmentalist ranting and raving about SUVs driving the environment until someone points out, "dude, you're driving a Hummer."
Essentially, Microsoft's rhetoric HAS been "windows only lol r0xr." Now they have to eat a little crow.
Gifts for Geeks - Stuff that really matters!
When I was at MS, they were installing a huge wireless network in all the buildings...when I left, it was something like 90% done...
SO my question is, if they already have a wireless network, and I know they do...why are they installing another one? Or is it really that they are UPGRADING the existing one...???
Either way, this would make the 2nd Linux installation that I know of over at MS...they have (or had) a set of servers over in building 43 that contained, "sensitive, critical data" that they couldn't (wouldn't??) trust to Windows Server...
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I can just see Linus' avatar now
Is that why they had to put so much time energy and money to convert Hotmail away from BSD?
l _servers_begin_switch/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2000/08/01/ms_hotmai
April 11, 2005? You've got to be kidding me!
-h-
A lot of you are missing the point. For most instances it's about saving money. But sometimes there are public appearance issues that are more important than immediate cost. By using a direct competitor's product, you are admitting your competiting product is not only inferior, but so vastly inferior that free licenses and free in-house support are still not enough to use it. This hurts sales of that product long term. Even if using your own stuff costs more now, you hope that saving face and eating your own dog food will result in sales that make up for it. Microsoft has no equivalent to Cisco's IOS. However, they have an embedded version of windows that is poised directly at linux. And the real news of this is that Microsoft has been so vapidly against linux. I mean they have fought dirty and mean and lied through their teeth. Now this product they have utter distain for is aparently vastly superior to one of their products? Kinda a big kick in the nuts if you ask me. They probably should have just stayed with Cisco and saved themselves the embarassment. It makes them look foolish.
If an officer ever threatens to taze you, say you have a pacemaker.
Just the first link I found...
p ?catalog_name=CaliforniaComputer&category_name=&pr oduct_id=R84-00001&cookie_test=1
http://www.californiacomputer.com/Shop/product.as
google for "Microsoft router"
"Microsoft 54G Wireless Base Station
Includes a 4-port 10/100 Ethernet switch 802.11g technology, transfer data up to 54Mbps Smart Windows CE-powered expandable platform Interoperable with 2.4GHz wireless frequency (11 Mbps and 54 Mbps) Backwards compatible Built-in firewall protection 256-bit Wi-Fi protected access"
So, as you can see, not only is it a Microsoft branded wireless router; it is based on Windows/CE.
That covers both of my points.
Ratboy
Just another "Cubible(sic) Joe" 2 17 3061
I've noticed clients are now getting some enjoyment out of exchange after I installed linux+postfix mail firewalls in front of them. It kind of feels bad. I think they are going to forget the reason why stuff is now working. I know their boss'n are ignorant of the reason. But anyway, maybe Microsoft wants to see this "improvement" for themselves.
Having to work for a living is the root of all evil.