Linux
At Move we are Linux-first. That means Linux is often our preferred platform for servers, edge computing, gateways, embedded computers and development environments. Linux gives us a high degree of control, good performance, strong options for automation and a platform that can be tailored precisely to the product, without unnecessary components or licences.
Linux
Full control from kernel to application
Linux is a central part of many of the solutions we develop at Move.
The whole software stack
From bootloader and kernel to application
Only what is needed
Fewer services, smaller hardware
Automated operation
SSH, CI/CD, containers and remote management
From embedded to cloud
Gateways, edge, AI and servers
Control over the whole software stack
That does not mean we use Linux for everything. There are applications where Windows is the right choice, for example if the product has to integrate closely with existing Windows software, particular drivers or the customer's IT environment. But when we are free to choose the platform, we often start with Linux.
The main reason is control.
Linux is open source, so we can control the whole software stack, from bootloader and kernel to drivers, services and application. We do not depend on a platform vendor deciding which features are installed, when a user interface changes or which services run in the background.
That is especially valuable in products that have to last for many years.
An environment that can be tailored to the product
An industrial computer or IoT gateway rarely needs the same software environment as an ordinary office PC.
On Linux we can build the system with exactly the components the product needs. If the device only has to collect data from a PLC, run a few local algorithms and send the results to the cloud, there is no reason to have a large desktop environment installed.
A smaller system means lower resource consumption and fewer services to maintain.
It also makes it possible to work with small compute platforms and keep the RAM, storage and CPU requirements down. That can reduce hardware cost, energy consumption and heat generation alike.
Linux on servers
On the server side, Linux is a natural choice for us.
The vast majority of the technologies we typically work with on the backend and in the cloud have Linux as their natural environment. That includes Docker, Kubernetes, Nginx, PostgreSQL, Python, Node.js and a long list of cloud and DevOps tools.
Nor does the server need a graphical user interface. Administration can be done through SSH, scripts and management tools, which makes it easy to automate installation, configuration and updates.
That fits well with Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD, Ansible, Terraform and automated deployments.
Another advantage is that the development and production environments can be very similar. If software is developed on Linux and then has to run on a Linux server or edge computer, the differences between development, testing and deployment are reduced.
Containers run natively on Linux
Linux is also the foundation of modern container technology.
Docker and other container platforms are built on Linux features such as namespaces and cgroups. That means Linux containers can run directly on Linux without an extra virtualisation layer.
It gives a simple and efficient way to package applications with their dependencies.
For us it is particularly interesting in gateways, edge computing and server systems, where several services need to be updated independently of each other. A data collector, a database, a communication service and a web application can, for example, run as separate containers on the same device.
Stability and remote management
Products installed in the field should ideally be able to look after themselves.
Linux is well suited to remote administration and automated operation. Services can be monitored and restarted automatically, logs can be collected centrally and software can be updated remotely.
The system can also be configured for automatic recovery after power failures, network faults or software problems.
This is particularly relevant for industrial gateways and IoT products, which may be installed in hard-to-reach places or in other countries.
Security through control and minimalism
Cybersecurity is not just about adding security software. An important part is reducing what is available on the system in the first place.
On Linux we can build a system with only the services and components the product needs. Unnecessary ports, programs and background services can be removed.
At the same time, Linux has a mature system for user permissions, certificates, firewalls, encryption and secure remote access.
That does not mean Linux is automatically secure. The system still has to be designed, configured and maintained correctly. But the platform gives us very direct control over the attack surface.
Linux for edge computing and AI
Linux has also become a central platform for edge computing and AI.
Many modern compute modules with ARM or x86 processors, GPUs and NPUs have strong Linux support. That makes it possible to build compact products that can process sensor, video or audio data locally.
Here we can combine embedded software, containerised services, AI models, local storage and cloud connectivity on the same platform.
There is also a very large open-source ecosystem, which makes it possible to build on well-documented technologies rather than starting from scratch.
Linux-first does not mean Linux-only
What matters most is still the needs of the product.
If a high-performance application requires Windows, or the customer has an existing Windows-based environment, we naturally choose that. We also develop advanced Windows applications when that is the right platform.
Linux-first simply means that when we have the choice, we look first at whether Linux can provide a simpler, more controllable and longer-lasting solution.
At Move we use Linux everywhere from small embedded systems and IoT gateways to edge computing, AI servers and cloud infrastructure. The common thread is that we can adapt the platform to the product, rather than adapting the product to the operating system.
Frequently asked questions
What does Linux-first mean?
It means that Linux is often our preferred platform when we are free to choose the operating system. We always choose technology based on the specific needs of the product, though.
Where do you use Linux?
We use Linux for embedded computers, IoT gateways, edge computing, AI systems, servers, cloud infrastructure and development environments, among other things.
Why is Linux good for servers?
Linux has low resource consumption, strong options for automation and remote management, and a large ecosystem of server and cloud software. That makes the platform well suited to both small and very large installations.
Can Linux be used in an industrial product?
Yes. Linux is widely used in gateways, industrial computers, edge devices and machine controllers. The system can be tailored to the specific hardware and application and designed for automatic operation and recovery.
Is Linux more secure than Windows?
Not automatically. Security depends on design, configuration and maintenance. One of the advantages of Linux is that the system can be reduced to only the components and services that are actually needed.
Can Linux run Docker?
Yes. Linux is the native platform for Linux containers and technologies such as Docker. That makes it possible to isolate different services and update them independently of each other.
Can you also develop for Windows?
Yes. Linux-first does not mean Linux-only. We also develop Windows solutions when that is the right platform for the application or the customer's environment.
Are there licence costs with Linux?
Many common Linux distributions can be used without paying a licence fee per device or server. There may, however, be licence or support costs for particular commercial distributions and software packages.
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