Report Claims Microsoft Considering Rebuilding Azure Linux Based on Fedora
Microsoft is evaluating a significant adjustment to its in-house operating system, Azure Linux, with future versions potentially being built on Fedora Linux. Azure Linux, previously known as CBL-Mariner, is already a Linux distribution using the RPM package management system, primarily serving Microsoft's Linux needs in scenarios like Azure and WSL. As the scope and capabilities of Azure Linux have continued to expand in recent years, the system may now further evolve, shifting to Fedora as its upstream base.
This move is directly related to a recent proposal within the Fedora community to build x86_64-v3 packages for Fedora 45. Reports indicate that Kyle Gospodnetich, a Linux engineer at Microsoft, is one of the authors of the proposal, demonstrating Microsoft's involvement in supporting this change. Microsoft's interest in x86_64-v3, and the potential link to Azure Linux transitioning to a Fedora base, were further clarified at this week's Fedora Enterprise Linux Next (ELN) special interest group meeting.
According to meeting minutes, both Microsoft and Fyra Labs expressed strong interest in Fedora introducing x86_64-v3. The minutes also explicitly state that, given Microsoft's support for this change, they are likely able to provide computing resources. More crucially, the meeting content directly mentioned, “Azure wants to rebuild Azure Linux more or less on top of Fedora, and they need x86_64-v3 for performance reasons.” The minutes also revealed that there was once a vague plan to “fork the entire distribution” for this purpose, but related parties were later guided in the current direction, and speakers also expressed a desire to avoid project failure.
If Microsoft ultimately pushes Azure Linux towards a Fedora base, further changes in architecture and distribution strategies may follow. The article also points out that Microsoft's promotion of the x86_64-v3 microarchitecture feature level itself is a noteworthy development. Overall, this news suggests that Microsoft's internal Linux strategy may be brewing a new round of adjustments, and the connection between Azure Linux and the Fedora community is expected to deepen further.