Why don't you just run open source software on Linux?

For some industries, running proprietary (proprietary) software on open source Linux distributions is not an exception--rather common. On Wall Street, for example, "99% of apps on Wall Street rely on proprietary software." Oracle is one of the things that we like to run on Linux with proprietary licenses, says Victor Yodaiken, Fsmlabs's president.

Migrating to a Linux platform is not an either-or proposition. Linux as a flexible and open computing platform provides users with more options for software selection.

The first approach is the Linux desktop environment, where individual computing users, small offices, and businesses can be selected from numerous enterprise-class Linux distributions. Outside of Windows and the Unix-based Apple OS X, which is limited to its expensive hardware, Linux desktop systems offer users an alternative to zero or lower cost.

Another way to migrate is for employees to give up Linux desktops and instead, businesses can run back office systems on Linux servers. With the footprint of Linux in Web applications and cloud computing, Linux servers can find their place in various enterprise settings.

The third approach is to run a complete Linux store, where common Office computing, web browsing, and image editing software are stored in open source packages. Open source database programs are connected to the backend software and servers, and Linux does not require special hardware and extra expense.

Training employees to use Linux desktop applications requires little input. Thanks to the staff for their familiarity with Cross-platform software, such as LibreOffice and Open Office, and of course Google Chrome and Firefox browsers. Previous Office communication tools are really in jeopardy.

Linux is flexible. A new trend is to write third-party specific software to meet their business needs, and commercial software companies can recompile software that packs the necessary windows or other platforms. They can also combine open-source components with their own specific code to write Linux applications for specific requirements.

Dayan Jeremiah,icewarp Pacific's CEO told Linuxinsider: "I believe it will be a new trend for companies to use Third-party software that can run on Linux systems." One of the factors that makes an enterprise move toward customizing software is that it is too heavy to buy Microsoft's mandate. ”

Running proprietary software on Linux

The problem with many companies turning to other operating systems is the compatibility of software and applications, such as turning to Linux, and the company must ensure that the software it uses must be compatible with the Linux operating system, Jeremiah added.

The Linux operating system has a large number of software that runs in a large number of Linux distributions and desktop environments. Given the industry's specificity, the vast open source community may not offer a substitute for a specific computing task. In this case, you have to spend your energy looking for help from Third-party software developers.

"With Third-party vendors to help ensure compatibility issues, for example, we can mix and match various software components together so that an application can run on Linux." Jeremiah said.

A new facelift.

More and more proprietary software companies, such as ICEWARP, develop specific software to meet the specific business needs of the enterprise, and they mix many open source components together.

This saves both licensing costs and the cost of developing code, compared to the Microsoft framework.

"We can use off-the-shelf software components to build a complete software solution for Linux, which is economical, efficient, and stable." Jeremiah added.

Icewarp development of specific software is not a free open source project, does not provide a free version, the need to order and pay fees, and after-sale support is also charged.

Code porting Chaos

Lucera's CEO, Jacob Loveless, said that one big obstacle to turning software from other platforms into Linux compatibility is the diversity of Linux. The Linux operating system has a common kernel, but different distributions have many different features.

"When software companies have to cross compile across multiple Linux systems, the problem deepens." "In addition to Microsoft's Exchange database (LCTT: This is a typo, probably" MS sql Server "), most of the databases are running well on Linux, and MySQL and Postsql are among the two most famous Open-source software (LCTT Postsql should be PostgreSQL). ”

The biggest challenge when porting software to Linux is that you need to recompile your code, usually you have to do some platform-specific modifications to get it to work, he said.

For example, you have a specific basis. NET or other Windows-oriented language code, Linux's open source compiler is not always compatible, so you have a lot of software work to redo, Loveless explains.

Another example is a database where you often have to switch to another database or a different Web server.

"It does take some work," Loveless said.

Much but not enough

Another compatibility issue for Linux is the type of open source software the company needs.

"Open source software solutions for specific computing needs are not perfect," Icewarp's Jeremiah added, "but it's usually enough for Linux, and specific applications that the open source community can't do can be implemented by a third party." ”

For example, a specific Linux-compliant application that Icewarp recently completed does not require the purchase of additional hardware or a redundant licensing fee.

This particular software includes a load-balanced cluster, a cluster that runs the database, and a cluster of IP servers. All run in Rhel or CentOS Linux distributions.

Go with the money!

In some cases, the use of the Linux operating system is rich, and sometimes Linux servers are popular in one area, and sometimes just a specific Linux desktop application, and occasionally both.

For example, on Wall Street, time synchronization is key in financial markets. Financial networks rely on distributed networks, and users must complete their transactions within the deadline. Other applications require accurate timing before trading. Fsmlabs's president Victor Yodaiken says these features require precise timing control.

When Fsmlabs started developing time synchronization software, Yodaiken felt they only needed to develop a version of Windows.

However, it turns out that every person who uses automated trading or high-frequency trading, even those who collect data with high precision, is running Linux, he told Linuxinsider.

Cherish time like gold

Fsmlabs running their proprietary code on Linux, the Internet Time Protocol (NTP) on Linux does not apply to synchronization time at nanosecond levels, such as tracking stock movements or trading requirements. There is another reason for the lack of windows.

Yodaiken said: "Linux is more popular than Windows because Windows doesn't have a standard API that allows you to get time at the millisecond level, so window isn't really good, you have to have a specific API." and under Linux. You don't need to be laborious on your application. ”

Financial markets were the first to embrace Linux, and many of the early system administrators came from Bell Labs in the 1980s, so it was a mature market, he added.

Meet demand

In some areas, it is not surprising that running patented software on open source Linux distributions is common.

"Wall Street 99% apps are running on patented products," he said. We like Oracle in our proprietary licensed products running on Linux. Fsmlab's Yodaiken said.

Some Linux-using markets require more specific software, and existing Open-source software does not satisfy them, which is why software developers offer business solutions for Enterprise Linux applications. He added.

"It's very common that open source software is good for big markets, and that's why he has a wide and universal demand, not that many people need absolute microsecond time, and if they don't have a market, they send a signal." "he said.

Linux purists are meaningless.

The idea of running completely free Open-source software on Linux is lacking, and sometimes you have to run proprietary software. This is true for any particular industry.

Third-party software developers can provide specific, commercial, or closed-source software solutions When a professional calculation does not require access to a wide range of markets. As business requirements continue to enter the Linux system, absolute open source will become a thing of the past.

"It's quite common to have business software on Linux," Yodaiken says. "Businessmen are not purists, they just want to solve problems." ”

Jack M.genmain has been reporting computer technology from Apple II and PC era, as well as the original IBM PC-JR and running DOS machines. He has a Linux desktop with shared software and open source software. He runs several versions of Windows and Linux, often unable to decide whether to use his tablet or netbook or Android smartphone, rather than using his desktop or laptop. You can contact him on Google +.

Via:http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/80555.html