A Kernel Potato: Ubuntu is one of the most widely used Linux distributions around, providing a free and open-source operating system built on Debian. It caters to both individual users and businesses, focusing on stability and reliability. However, upcoming changes could noticeably alter its course.
Canonical has unveiled a major shift in its approach towards Linux updates in the Ubuntu operating system. The Canonical Kernel Team (CKT), charged with managing kernel updates for Ubuntu releases, plans to start integrating the most recent Linux kernel versions into Ubuntu as soon as they’re available, even prior to their stabilization in the official release.
The company based in the UK notes that Ubuntu adheres to a strict, time-fixed release strategy. Release intervals are established six months beforehand, with deviations occurring only under exceptional circumstances. The latest long-term support version, Ubuntu 24.04 “Noble Numbat,” was launched in April 2024.
Contrastingly, the development team for the Linux kernel operates on a flexible, quasi-time-based schedule, with new major releases of the kernel appearing every two or three months. The timing of these versions is adaptable, with project leader Linus Torvalds having the liberty to alter the completion timeline to address any critical errors found during development.
A stable release schedule is key to maintaining a dependable operating system, as explained by Canonical’s Brett Grandbois. Ubuntu has evolved beyond a niche operating system for enthusiasts, being widely used in various implementations such as desktop environments, servers, cloud data centers, and IoT devices.
Historically, Ubuntu has incorporated only the latest stable release of the Linux kernel, setting a kernel freeze two months prior to any new operating system upgrade. This method has been met with dissatisfaction from many users who are eager for newer capabilities and improved hardware support available with the latest Linux versions.
“To ensure that users have access to the latest developments and hardware support, Ubuntu will begin including the most recent version of the upstream Linux kernel available at the Ubuntu release freeze date,” announced Canonical, even if this means using a kernel that is still in Release Candidate (RC) status and may have unresolved issues at the time of release.
This shift towards an “aggressive kernel version commitment policy” introduces certain risks since RC versions are not finalized, as noted by Torvalds and his team. Nonetheless, Canonical will take on the challenge of managing these risks by providing official support for the Linux release integrated into the new Ubuntu version. Post-release kernel updates are not an option, as the Linux version used is a specifically tailored kernel that includes unique features, patches, and hardware compatibility facilitated by Canonical and its OEM partners.
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