www.it-connect.fr
Ubuntu Core 26 LTS: The Immutable OS Keeps Getting Better
Canonical has recently unveiled Ubuntu Core 26, a very special release since it is an immutable operating system, built on Snap packages, and will receive support for 15 years. Here’s what’s new.
Ubuntu Core is an Ubuntu version designed for IoT (Internet of Things), robotics, and embedded systems. As such, it includes several features tailored to these use cases, and version 26 moves things in the right direction.
Table of Contents
90% Smaller Updates and Livepatch for ARM64
With Ubuntu Core 26, Canonical is focusing on update optimization, especially to reduce bandwidth consumption. This release introduces a new format called "snap-delta" whose goal is to cut download sizes by up to 90% for most snaps during remote updates (OTA mechanism).
"Ubuntu Core 26 sets a new benchmark for online update efficiency. An improved snap-delta format reduces update sizes by 50% to 90% for most snaps. The size of Core base snap updates drops from 16 MB to just 1.5 MB.", says the official announcement from Canonical.
Still on the topic of updates, Ubuntu Core 26 also introduces another major new feature: Livepatch for ARM64. This security-focused mechanism makes it possible to hot-patch the Linux kernel on ARM64-based devices. No interruption is required: the device is patched while continuing to run.
For reference, this Livepatch feature has already been available for AMD64 architectures since Ubuntu Core 20.
Immutability and Compliance
Ubuntu Core is an immutable operating system, which makes it much harder to compromise and modify than non-immutable systems. With Ubuntu Core 26, Canonical has added features to strengthen the protection of sensitive data and improve alignment with regulatory requirements:
- Native integration of OP-TEE to provide hardware-rooted key protection via ARM TrustZone (a critical mechanism for securing this system).
- Storage of TPM-sealed keys directly in the LUKS2 header.
- Compliance with the European Cyber Resilience Act.
15 Years of Support for Ubuntu Core 26
Ubuntu Core is not a classic desktop operating system: an Ubuntu Core Desktop version is reportedly in development, but it does not exist yet. This minimal release benefits from long-term support (LTS) from Canonical. In fact, it is set to receive 15 years of support, meaning 15 years of updates provided by Canonical, through 2041 for Ubuntu Core 26.
Finally, it is interesting to see more and more Linux distributions being presented as immutable operating systems. Ubuntu Core is not the only one in this space; Fedora Silverblue is another example, and there are others as well. These systems rely on atomic updates, which means preparing the entire new system in the background within an isolated area, then switching to it instantly at reboot.
