It's time for a distributed operating system that provides "that common layer of abstraction across these heterogeneous and distributed cloud resources," she says.

What does distributed operating system actually mean? Find out inside PCMag's comprehensive tech and computer-related encyclopedia.

Microsoft has applied for a patent for a distributed operating system that matches the description of one its researchers have been developing, known as Helios.

What companies really want in networking is something is akin to the situation with Linux, and we think companies would be willing to give up on having source code if they can get a unifying network ...