Co-operative Linux
Allowing Windows and Linux To Run Cooperatively Side By Side
Cooperative Linux is sometimes referred to by
those that use it as coLinux. Cooperative Linux is a dedicated software application
that enables PC users to run Microsoft Windows and Linux side by side on the same
computer.
The Cooperative Linux
software application is designed to operate a bit like a cooperative virtual machine that
shares resources between operating systems so that both components have full
functionality. The Cooperative Linux software application is actually quite
different to the traditional cooperative virtual machine though because in previous
applications, the cooperative virtual machine only allowed additional operating systems to
act as guests.
When thinking about the Cooperative
Linux software application and how it works in practice, let’s take a moment to
consider the word – cooperative. By its very nature, Cooperative Linux software
applications allows two completely different operating systems – in this case Windows
and Linux – to co exist side by side without causing one or the other any
problems.
Cooperative Linux software applications use a
kernel system to determine which program is in control at any one time, and when you
switch between the two, the kernel assigns the control to the operating system that you
are using at the time. This can be confusing, as people often think that one is acting as
the ‘boss’ and the other is the ‘follower’ but in actual fact, both operating
systems still retain full access and control of the hardware. This is achieved by the
kernel drawing on specific drivers that tell the guest operating system when to take
control and when to take a back seat.
The Cooperative Linux
software application was first developed in 2004 by Dan Aloni. The source code was
released publicly and since that time, many developers from all across the world have
contributed ideas, patches and additions to the application.
The Cooperative Linux
software application has been compared to other virtualization software applications
although in actual fact, the Cooperative Linux software application is quite
distinct and different from applications such as VMware and Virtual PC to whom some
suggest have similar features.
Despite its fanfare, there are
limitations to the Cooperative Linux software application. For example, because the
Cooperative Linux software application does not access direct graphics hardware,
users to date are unable to run X Window or X Servers. Users of the Cooperative Linux
software application can however, choose to install an X Server under Windows which will
allow this to occur.
Despite this though, there are
many positive stories about the Cooperative Linux software application as well. For
example, it is well documented that the Cooperative Linux software application
allows for the seamless and smooth running of the MySQL application.
Ultimately, the Cooperative Linux
software application allows a user to upload and safely teach themselves Linux without
having to take the time to delete other operating systems that they use on a day to day
basis. This can be risky, particular if the user decides that Linux is not for them. The Cooperative
Linux software application takes away any element of risk by allowing you to run both
side by side
|
