Why use Azure IoT Edge for Linux on Windows?

Applies to: IoT Edge 1.4

Important

IoT Edge 1.4 is the supported release. If you are on an earlier release, see Update IoT Edge.

For organizations interested in running business logic and analytics on devices, Azure IoT Edge for Linux on Windows (EFLOW) enables the deployment of production Linux-based cloud-native workloads onto Windows devices. Connecting your devices to Microsoft Azure lets you quickly bring cloud intelligence to your business. At the same time, running workloads on devices allows you to respond quickly in instances with limited connectivity and reduce bandwidth costs.

By bringing the best of Windows and Linux together, EFLOW enables new capabilities while leveraging existing Windows infrastructure and application investments. By running Linux IoT Edge modules on Windows devices, you can do more on a single device, reducing the overhead and cost of separate devices for different applications.

EFLOW doesn't require extensive Linux knowledge and utilizes familiar Windows tools to manage your EFLOW device and workloads. Windows IoT provides trusted enterprise-grade security with established IT admin infrastructure. Lastly, the entire solution is maintained and kept up to date by Microsoft.

Easily Connect to Azure

IoT Edge Built-In. Tier 1 Azure IoT Edge support is built in to EFLOW for a simplified deployment experience for your cloud workloads.

Curated Linux VM for Azure. EFLOW consists of a specially curated Linux VM that runs alongside Windows IoT host OS. This Linux VM is based on CBL-Mariner Linux, and is optimized for hosting IoT Edge workloads.

Familiar Windows Management

Flexible Scripting. PowerShell modules provide the ability to fully script deployments.

WAC. Windows Admin Center EFLOW extension (preview, EFLOW 1.1 only) provides a click-through deployment wizard and remote management experience.

Production Ready

Always Up-to-date. EFLOW regularly releases feature and security improvements and is reliably updated using Microsoft Update. For more information on EFLOW updates, see Update IoT Edge for Linux on Windows.

Fully Supported Environment. In an EFLOW solution, the base operating system, the EFLOW Linux environment, and the container runtime are all maintained by Microsoft—meaning there's a single source for all of the components. Each of the three components: Windows IoT, EFLOW, and Azure IoT Edge have defined servicing mechanisms and support timelines.

Windows + Linux

Interoperability. With EFLOW, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Combining a Windows application and Linux application on the same device unlocks new experiences and scenarios that otherwise wouldn't have been possible. Interoperability and hardware passthrough capabilities built into EFLOW including, TPM passthrough, HW acceleration, Camera passthrough, Serial passthrough, and more, allow you to take advantage of both Linux and Windows environments.

IoT Edge Marketplace. EFLOW presents an opportunity for Linux developers to target Windows devices, greatly increasing the potential install base. The Azure Marketplace offers a wide range of enterprise applications and solutions that are certified and optimized to run on Azure, including Azure IoT Edge and EFLOW.