Ubuntu Core Slims Down, Offers 10-Year LTS Support

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Canonical released Ubuntu Core 18, based on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, bringing 10-year support to the embedded Linux platform. Other enhancements include a reduced attack surface and easier porting of Ubuntu apps.



Canonical’s stripped-down, container-like Ubuntu Core version of Ubuntu for embedded IoT has reached version 18. The most significant benefit is that the distro is based on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Bionic Beaver), which was released in early 2018. The release’s long-term support (LTS) status means Canonical promises to support it for 10 years, improving the chance of warding off malware attacks throughout the product lifespan.

Ubuntu Core, which runs on a variety of devices including Lime SDR boards such as the LimeNET Micro board, is already notable for being one of the more secure embedded Linux distros around. Its “snap” apps are containerized, and it offers transactional updates, among other security features.

In addition to the LTS status, the new release should be even more secure because the already minimalist distro has the smallest footprint yet, fitting into 260MB, according to the ZDNet story that alerted us to the release.

Read more at LinuxGizmos