Ubuntu’s New Kernel Policy: A Shift Towards Latest Features and Hardware Support

Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions, is making a significant change to its kernel policy. The Canonical Kernel Team (CKT) will now integrate the latest version of the Linux kernel into Ubuntu, even if it’s still in Release Candidate (RC) status.

What’s Behind the Change?

Ubuntu follows a strict, time-based release schedule, with release dates set six months in advance. However, the Linux kernel development process is more fluid, with new major kernel releases occurring every two to three months. This mismatch has led to Ubuntu releases often including older kernel versions.

Benefits and Risks

The new policy aims to provide users with the latest features and hardware support. However, it also carries risks, as RC releases are not considered final and may contain bugs. Canonical will need to manage these risks by providing official support for the specific Linux release included in the new Ubuntu version.

Some key points to note about the new policy:

• Ubuntu will now ship the latest available version of the upstream Linux kernel at the specified Ubuntu release freeze date.
• This may include kernel versions that are still in RC status and have some bugs remaining to be resolved.
• Canonical will provide official support for the specific Linux release included in the new Ubuntu version.

This change is a significant shift for Ubuntu, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Will the benefits of having the latest features and hardware support outweigh the potential risks? Only time will tell.