Akamai Delivers Infrastructure Support to Ensure Uninterrupted Linux Kernel Development
Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) has become the new infrastructure partner for kernel.org, the main distribution system for Linux kernel source code. Through a multi-year agreement with the Linux Kernel Organization, Akamai will provide infrastructure services to support the development of the Linux operating system, which powers most of the world's technology infrastructure.
The Linux kernel, comprising approximately 28 million lines of code, has received contributions from over 13,500 developers across 1,300+ companies since 2005. Akamai will deliver the infrastructure that developers rely on at no cost, supporting Git environments for quick kernel source access globally.
As part of its commitment to open source, Akamai has also announced infrastructure support for Alpine Linux. The company is a Gold Member of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), has pledged US$1 million to CNCF projects, and contributes to various open-source initiatives including OpenTelemetry, Argo, and Prometheus.
Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) è diventato il nuovo partner infrastrutturale per kernel.org, il principale sistema di distribuzione del codice sorgente del kernel Linux. Attraverso un accordo pluriennale con la Linux Kernel Organization, Akamai fornirà servizi infrastrutturali per supportare lo sviluppo del sistema operativo Linux, che alimenta la maggior parte delle infrastrutture tecnologiche del mondo.
Il kernel Linux, composto da circa 28 milioni di righe di codice, ha ricevuto contributi da oltre 13.500 sviluppatori di oltre 1.300 aziende dal 2005. Akamai fornirà l'infrastruttura di cui gli sviluppatori si affidano senza alcun costo, supportando ambienti Git per un accesso rapido al codice sorgente del kernel a livello globale.
Come parte del suo impegno per l'open source, Akamai ha anche annunciato il supporto infrastrutturale per Alpine Linux. L'azienda è un membro Gold della Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), ha promesso 1 milione di dollari per i progetti CNCF e contribuisce a varie iniziative open source tra cui OpenTelemetry, Argo e Prometheus.
Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) se ha convertido en el nuevo socio de infraestructura para kernel.org, el principal sistema de distribución del código fuente del núcleo de Linux. A través de un acuerdo plurianual con la Linux Kernel Organization, Akamai proporcionará servicios de infraestructura para apoyar el desarrollo del sistema operativo Linux, que impulsa la mayor parte de la infraestructura tecnológica del mundo.
El núcleo de Linux, que comprende aproximadamente 28 millones de líneas de código, ha recibido contribuciones de más de 13,500 desarrolladores de más de 1,300 empresas desde 2005. Akamai ofrecerá la infraestructura de la que dependen los desarrolladores sin costo alguno, apoyando entornos de Git para un acceso rápido al código fuente del núcleo a nivel global.
Como parte de su compromiso con el código abierto, Akamai también ha anunciado apoyo de infraestructura para Alpine Linux. La empresa es miembro Gold de la Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), ha prometido 1 millón de dólares para proyectos de CNCF y contribuye a varias iniciativas de código abierto, incluyendo OpenTelemetry, Argo y Prometheus.
아카마이 (NASDAQ: AKAM)는 리눅스 커널 소스 코드의 주요 배포 시스템인 kernel.org의 새로운 인프라 파트너가 되었습니다. 리눅스 커널 조직과의 다년 계약을 통해 아카마이는 리눅스 운영 체제 개발을 지원하기 위한 인프라 서비스를 제공할 것입니다. 이 운영 체제는 세계 대부분의 기술 인프라를 구동합니다.
리눅스 커널은 약 2800만 줄의 코드로 구성되어 있으며, 2005년 이후 1,300개 이상의 회사에서 13,500명 이상의 개발자들이 기여해왔습니다. 아카마이는 개발자들이 의존하는 인프라를 무료로 제공하여 전 세계적으로 신속한 커널 소스 접근을 지원하는 Git 환경을 지원할 것입니다.
오픈 소스에 대한 약속의 일환으로 아카마이는 Alpine Linux에 대한 인프라 지원도 발표했습니다. 이 회사는 클라우드 네이티브 컴퓨팅 재단(CNCF)의 골드 회원이며, CNCF 프로젝트에 100만 달러를 약속하고 OpenTelemetry, Argo, Prometheus 등 다양한 오픈 소스 이니셔티브에 기여하고 있습니다.
Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) est devenu le nouveau partenaire d'infrastructure de kernel.org, le principal système de distribution du code source du noyau Linux. Grâce à un accord pluriannuel avec la Linux Kernel Organization, Akamai fournira des services d'infrastructure pour soutenir le développement du système d'exploitation Linux, qui alimente la plupart des infrastructures technologiques mondiales.
Le noyau Linux, composé d'environ 28 millions de lignes de code, a reçu des contributions de plus de 13 500 développeurs provenant de plus de 1 300 entreprises depuis 2005. Akamai fournira l'infrastructure sur laquelle les développeurs comptent gratuitement, en soutenant des environnements Git pour un accès rapide au code source du noyau à l'échelle mondiale.
Dans le cadre de son engagement envers l'open source, Akamai a également annoncé un soutien infrastructurel pour Alpine Linux. L'entreprise est membre Gold de la Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), a promis 1 million de dollars pour les projets CNCF et contribue à diverses initiatives open source, notamment OpenTelemetry, Argo et Prometheus.
Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) ist der neue Infrastrukturpartner für kernel.org geworden, das Hauptverteilungssystem für den Quellcode des Linux-Kernels. Durch eine mehrjährige Vereinbarung mit der Linux Kernel Organization wird Akamai Infrastrukturservices bereitstellen, um die Entwicklung des Linux-Betriebssystems zu unterstützen, das die meisten technologischen Infrastrukturen der Welt antreibt.
Der Linux-Kernel, der aus etwa 28 Millionen Codezeilen besteht, hat seit 2005 Beiträge von über 13.500 Entwicklern aus mehr als 1.300 Unternehmen erhalten. Akamai wird die Infrastruktur bereitstellen, auf die Entwickler kostenlos angewiesen sind, und Git-Umgebungen unterstützen, um einen schnellen Zugriff auf den Kernel-Quellcode weltweit zu ermöglichen.
Im Rahmen seines Engagements für Open Source hat Akamai auch Infrastrukturunterstützung für Alpine Linux angekündigt. Das Unternehmen ist Goldmitglied der Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), hat 1 Million US-Dollar für CNCF-Projekte zugesagt und trägt zu verschiedenen Open-Source-Initiativen wie OpenTelemetry, Argo und Prometheus bei.
- Strategic expansion into critical open-source infrastructure support
- Strengthens position in cloud computing market through Linux ecosystem integration
- Builds valuable partnerships with global developer community
- Infrastructure provided at no cost, potentially increasing operational expenses
Insights
Akamai's new infrastructure support agreement for kernel.org represents a strategic positioning move in the cloud computing ecosystem rather than a direct revenue generator. By hosting the primary distribution system for Linux kernel source code, Akamai places itself at a critical juncture in the development workflow for the world's most ubiquitous operating system.
This multi-year commitment builds on Akamai's previous open source strategy, following their 2022 acquisition of Linode and 2023 acquisition of Ondat. The company is systematically building credibility within the developer ecosystem that powers cloud computing worldwide. Supporting kernel.org puts Akamai's infrastructure directly in the hands of the 13,500+ developers who contribute to the Linux kernel.
While provided at no cost, this infrastructure support creates valuable developer mindshare and potential pathway advantages for Akamai's commercial offerings. Developers familiar with Akamai through kernel.org may more readily adopt their paid solutions when developing commercial applications. The additional support for Alpine Linux further strengthens this developer-focused strategy.
From a technical standpoint, this positions Akamai to potentially gain earlier visibility into kernel development directions, which could provide competitive intelligence for optimizing their own cloud infrastructure. However, without details on resource allocation or specific technical investments, it's difficult to assess the operational impact on Akamai's business.
This kernel.org support agreement represents Akamai's continued strategic evolution from its content delivery network (CDN) roots toward becoming a comprehensive cloud computing and security provider. The move demonstrates Akamai's commitment to building credibility in the open source ecosystem that underpins modern cloud computing.
The multi-year agreement with Linux Kernel Organization follows a consistent pattern of strategic investments, including their $1 million pledge to Cloud Native Computing Foundation projects and Gold Membership status in the CNCF. These investments signal Akamai's recognition that developer mindshare is crucial for long-term competitiveness in cloud services.
What's particularly notable is how this fits into Akamai's broader acquisition strategy. After purchasing Linode (Linux-focused cloud provider) and Ondat (Kubernetes storage platform), supporting kernel.org creates synergistic positioning that strengthens their cloud platform story. This trifecta of moves suggests a coherent strategy to build credibility with the developer community most likely to influence cloud purchasing decisions.
While this announcement won't directly impact near-term financial performance, it represents a long-term positioning play in an increasingly competitive cloud market. By embedding their services in critical open source infrastructure, Akamai potentially reduces friction for developers considering their commercial offerings. The competitive differentiation value likely outweighs the infrastructure costs, though without specific financial details, we can't quantify the investment required.
Akamai picks up the hosting of kernel.org, bringing long-term stability to development and maintenance of the open source Linux operating system
Akamai signed a multi-year agreement with the Linux Kernel Organization to provide infrastructure services to the project and its global cohort of developers. The work of these engineers — many of whom work as volunteers — is critical to maintaining the security and performance of the world's most widely deployed open source operating system. Linux and its derivatives are used by most if not all governments, research laboratories, nonprofit organizations, and corporations globally. It powers smartphones, industrial devices, consumer products, and the data centers that enable cloud computing. It also runs most of the internet, all of the world's top 500 supercomputers, and the world's stock exchanges.
The Linux kernel is massive — approximately 28 million lines of code. Since 2005, more than 13,500 developers from more than 1,300 different companies have contributed to the Linux kernel. Additionally, there are many kernel versions, and developers update the code constantly, distributing that code to developers who are working on various distributions of Linux. Akamai now delivers the infrastructure that these developers and their users rely on, at no cost, supporting the Git environments developers use to access kernel sources quickly, regardless of where they're based.
"Like the rest of the world, Akamai depends on Linux. By supporting kernel.org, we're giving back to the community, just as we've done via our commitments to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF)," said Alex Chircop, Chief Architect, Akamai Cloud, and member of the CNCF's Technical Oversight Committee. "The foundation of our cloud platform is built on a long history of Linux and open source technologies. It's the Lin in Linode. By providing stable, secure, and unwavering support for kernel.org, we're doing our part to contribute to the preservation of the world's most widely deployed open source software, Linux."
"Akamai has deep roots in the open source community," said Chris Aniszczyk, Chief Technology Officer of CNCF. "As an important member of CNCF, they have actively contributed to key projects, including OpenTelemetry, Argo, and Prometheus, and donated
Akamai is a Gold Member of the CNCF and a Platinum Sponsor of KubeCon — and, earlier this year, Akamai pledged
Akamai also announced that it is providing infrastructure and delivery support for Alpine Linux, one of the most popular Linux distributions.
About Akamai
Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai's full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world's most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at akamai.com and akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn.
About The Linux Kernel Organization
The Linux Kernel Organization is a California Public Benefit Corporation established in 2002 to distribute the Linux kernel and other open source software to the public without charge. Recognized as a 501(c)3 private operating foundation, the Linux Kernel Organization is managed by The Linux Foundation, which provides full technical, financial, and staffing support for running and maintaining the kernel.org infrastructure.
Contacts
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SOURCE Akamai Technologies, Inc.
FAQ
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