Microsoft has announced significant updates to the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), including the upcoming availability of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) as an official WSL distribution. This development aims to enhance the integration of Linux environments within Windows, providing users with greater flexibility and choice.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux on WSL
Red Hat’s collaboration with Microsoft will soon enable users to install RHEL directly through WSL commands such as wsl --list --online and wsl --install. This integration simplifies the process for developers and IT professionals who rely on RHEL for their workflows. Ron Pacheco, Senior Director of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Ecosystem at Red Hat, emphasized the company’s commitment to offering greater choice and flexibility for developers by bringing RHEL to WSL users.
New Tar-Based WSL Distro Architecture
In addition to the RHEL integration, Microsoft is introducing a new tar-based architecture for WSL distributions. This approach allows for the creation of WSL distros without the need for Windows-specific code, facilitating easier distribution and installation, particularly in enterprise environments. By adding a /etc/wsl-distribution.conf file to a tarball, developers can define settings such as default usernames and initialization commands, streamlining the deployment process.
Enhanced Enterprise Security Features
Microsoft is also focusing on bolstering WSL’s security features to meet enterprise standards. The latest updates include new controls that enable organizations to deploy, monitor, and configure WSL instances securely within their networks. These enhancements are designed to align WSL with zero-trust security principles, ensuring that virtual machine-based environments like WSL can be managed effectively in business settings.
These updates reflect Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to improve WSL’s functionality and security, making it a more robust tool for developers and enterprises integrating Linux capabilities into their Windows workflows.