Why Linux Took the Lead in Supercomputing: An Unintended Journey

Linux has become the de facto operating system for supercomputers, a trend that has puzzled and fascinated those in the tech industry for years. However, the reasons behind its rise are rooted in a series of accidental events and strategic choices that have defined the landscape of supercomputing technology. In this article, we explore the journey of why Linux became common on supercomputers, delving into the words of key figures in the domain and uncovering the intricate path that led to its widespread adoption.

The Role of Linux in Supercomputer Servers

Supercomputers are critical servers that require a lightweight and highly stable operating system to serve clients efficiently. Unlike bloated operating systems such as Windows or macOS, these systems need an OS that can handle the heavy lifting without unnecessary overhead. Enter Linux, the OS that has consistently proven its value in supercomputing environments.

"Linux is the best candidate for supercomputers due to its lightweight and stability." - Baraka Andrew

The Unintended Rise of Linux

The success of Linux in supercomputing is often attributed to fate rather than strategic planning. Historically, systems such as Unix and its derivatives were owned and licensed by The American Telephone and Telegraph Company (ATT), which imposed hefty fees for their use. This created a significant barrier for many organizations, prompting them to seek alternatives.

The Dawn of BSD

Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) emerged as a viable alternative. This version of Unix was open-source, making it freely accessible without the associated licensing costs. However, ATT's aggressive legal tactics and the subsequent lawsuit against Berkley Software Design Inc. (BSDi) created chaos in the tech industry.

The Linux Intervention

Meanwhile, a college student, Linus Torvalds, had started developing a small, free operating system called Linux. It was initially intended only for personal use but, by a chain of events, Linux was discovered to be compatible with UNIX software through some modifications. The news spread, and companies began to order a switch to Linux to avoid legal issues.

"It was purely by accident. Major UNIX users had to pay ATT a huge fee for UNIX and its required support contract. When BSD was released, it was a direct rewrite of ATT’s UNIX, and was free. ATT started a lawsuit against BSDi. That sent corporate [sic] into a panic and pushed them to switch to Linux so they would not get caught up in the ATT lawsuit. It was a mistake. The lawsuit was settled easily, but by then the corporations were already embarrassed by switching to Linux and didn’t want the embarrassment of moving back to BSD making news headlines." - QA response

The Strategic Adoption

Although Linux is known for its speed and efficiency, the supercomputing community adopted it for strategic reasons. Companies found that they could leverage Linux to manage storage systems and handle project files, while another system, such as IHK/McKernel, took over the actual supercomputing tasks. This hybrid approach maximized the strengths of both operating systems, ensuring top performance in computationally intensive tasks.

"The fastest supercomputers actually run on IHK/McKernel, not Linux. The OS that boots the supercomputer is listed as Linux, but it only handles storage systems and project files, while the actual supercomputing work is done by another system."

Conclusion

The journey of Linux in supercomputing is a testament to the unpredictable nature of technology and the importance of strategic adaptation. While Linux has proven its worth in many fields, its rise to prominence in supercomputing was more an unintended consequence of events than a premeditated choice. Nevertheless, the experience has reinforced the reliability and effectiveness of Linux in mission-critical applications, making it the industry standard.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, Linux remains a cornerstone of supercomputing, serving as a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful technology innovations arise from the least expected pathways.