By Hamnaa 
Open-source software is a type of software that has its source code publicly available. This is a key aspect of Open-Source Technology, as it means anybody can look it up and compile it for themselves.
However, the major benefit of this approach is that anyone can add new code and improve or add functions to the original source code. In the modern day, open-source technologies have massive communities dedicated to improving them and adding new features and functions.
This drives digital transformation by allowing a massive amount of talent to showcase their genius. There are tons of open-source projects that are used commercially and independently. Let’s explore how open-source technologies are being used today.
1. The Power of Open-Source Technology
Open-source technologies are extremely powerful. That’s because they have large communities collaborating and innovating. Linux is perhaps the best example of a powerful open-source technology. It is an operating system with tons of variants (distributions).
Nowadays, Linux is used for the following things.
- The world’s top 500 supercomputers,
- Servers,
- Desktops,
- Smartphones,
- Embedded Devices,
- Routers and networking devices,
- And many more things.
In contrast, Windows and Mac OS are primarily used on desktop computers and rarely on servers. The sole reason is that Linux is open-source, which makes it highly customizable. As such, it can be altered to work easily on different devices and environments.
The point is that open-source software is better for innovation because it allows more people to collaborate and work. This means a larger collective intellect is pooled together, resulting in innovation and advancements.
2. Open-Source Technology in Cloud Computing & Web Infrastructure
The Internet is one of the core technologies responsible for digital advancement. How we interact with and use it also changes with time and new innovations.
Many software services we get today are SaaS, i.e., they work online on a subscription basis. This is in stark contrast to when you would buy any software once and install it on your system.
The advantage of the SaaS system is that new updates and features can be rolled out efficiently. In the age of innovation, you are falling behind if you are not providing new features.
So, what is facilitating this trend of providing SaaS and new features and updates? Open source software, of course. We previously mentioned that servers use Linux OS, which is an open-source platform or Open-Source Technology. Other software that runs on it also follows the same principle.
For example, the DNS software that runs the DNS servers is also open source. The most commonly used software is called BIND which works on Linux servers. With BIND, businesses can configure their DNS to optimize their global distribution.
Similarly, open-source software also powers CDNs (Content Delivery Network). CDNs are a content delivery optimization tool that reduces loading times and latency in online services (including websites)
A great open-source option for configuring CDNs is JsDelivr. With this software, you can create CDNs that can interface and work with Github and NPM.
These open-source solutions allow companies to create robust yet flexible cloud platforms and provide SaaS services easily.
3. Enhancing Cybersecurity & Network Protection
Due to the ease of networking, more and more people are connected to each other. This connection can be used for both good and bad. This is why cybersecurity and network protection are extremely important.
As usual, both of these fields are rife with open-source software solutions. These include network monitoring tools, antiviruses, and anti-malware. Both consumers and businesses can use them to protect themselves and avoid getting hacked through the internet.
Why is this better? Well, robust closed-source solutions are too expensive. They cost an arm and a leg to use long-term. Open-source solutions, on the other hand, are free. They have a massive community supporting them as well.
This community backing makes way for new updates and breakthroughs. Since the tools and the updates are free, everyone can use them equally.
Here’s how different tools are used for security and network protection.
- Tools for dnslookup are used to check DNS security records like SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and DNSKEY/ DS records. These records prevent phishing and spoofing websites and emails.
- Packet sniffing tools like Wireshark are used to check if traffic on your network is coming from and going to a shady website or not.
- Kali Linux is a Linux distribution that has a lot of tools for doing network penetration testing and security audits.
You can do all of this with open-source tools and ensure your security online.
Conclusion
Open-source software or Open-Source Technology is the key to the future. History has shown that humanity has always been at its best when it worked together. Open-source software is just one of the many fronts where such unity can manifest. The pooling of ideas and resources automatically results in innovation and advancement. So, invest in open-source projects and leave your mark in the field of digital innovation.