Canonical Launches Ubuntu Core 24: Optimized for IoT and Edge Computing

Operating system developer Canonical recently announced the release of Ubuntu Core 24, an optimized version for IoT, embedded devices, and edge computing. This version is a fully containerized iteration of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

Ubuntu Core 24 features a fully preemptible kernel, ensuring rapid response times, and out-of-the-box advanced real-time capabilities on certified Ubuntu hardware.

Key highlights of this release include:

• Creation of custom Ubuntu Core image verification sets.
• Enhanced control over automatic network requests.
• Offline reshaping capabilities.
• Improved GPU integration for AIoT devices and graphical applications.
• Support for Canonical’s embedded Linux display server, Ubuntu Frame.

Additionally, Ubuntu Core 24 supports: 

• New device management integrations with Canonical's Landscape management tool.
• Seamless integration of Ubuntu Core devices with Azure IoT Edge services via the Azure IoT Edge snap.
• Support for the Robot Operating System (ROS).

In essence, Ubuntu Core is a locked-down, hardened, and embedded version of Ubuntu, bringing Ubuntu applications to next-generation smart devices, particularly AIoT and edge computing devices.

Ubuntu Core 24 includes a full AI stack with a real-time kernel, enabling critical task decisions in industrial equipment, automotive applications, and security-sensitive embedded solutions.

System requirements for Ubuntu Core 24 are minimal, needing at least 384MB of memory and 512MB of storage. For systems using UEFI Secure Boot and Full Disk Encryption (FED), at least 512MB of memory is required.

This version supports a wide range of devices, including:

• Raspberry Pi 2/3/4/5/CM3/CM4.
• Qualcomm DragonBoard platforms.
• Intel NUC devices.
• Generic x86x64 devices.
• x86 KVM and RISC-V devices.

For more information and to download the image, visit: https://ubuntu.com/download/iot