Microsoft is not only willing to tolerate Linux on Azure, it’s now decided to go the whole hog and offer Linux certification too.

Called the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) Linux on Azure, the new cert trains users to run Linux on the Azure cloud with two separate courses – one on Linux, and one on Azure, naturally.

The two courses are administered by different organizations. Microsoft offers the five-day Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course and throws in an exam for just $150. Meanwhile, the Linux Foundation offers its Certified System Administrator (LFCS) online course and exam for the princely sum of $179. There’s been no word from Microsoft on if it might integrate the two courses, so that’s probably not going to happen.

Microsoft justifies its new cert by saying that “approximately one in four virtual machines on Azure are Linux, and more than half of Azure Marketplace images are based on Linux”. What with so many Azure – Linux users, Microsoft clearly seems to think enough people will benefit that it’s worthwhile offering some proper training. Of course, Microsoft likes to stress that such certifications are also the best way for people to stay abreast of the latest technological developments.

When one remembers that it wasn’t so long ago Microsoft’s ex-CEO Steve Ballmer stated Linux “is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches”, it’s somewhat remarkable to think the company now offers a Linux certification of its own.

But of course, this is the new Microsoft under Satya Nadella: a company that’s “committed to open-source” and is only too keen to remind us of that every time it gets an opportunity to do so.

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