2 November 2021: Canonical published the first Ubuntu images optimised for the next generation of Intel IoT platforms, which address the unique requirements of the intelligent edge across multiple industry verticals.
Both companies are dedicated to enabling on Ubuntu the Intel IoT platforms’ specific features such as real-time performance, manageability, security, and functional safety, as well as allowing users to take advantage of their improved CPU and graphics performance. The collaboration ensures that developers and enterprises can create reliable and secure devices, bring their products to market faster, and benefit from up to 10 years of commercial Ubuntu support.
Reliable and secure devices
As IoT deployments scale both in number and size, maintaining large fleets of devices in the field becomes a major concern for operations teams. Stability and reliability are key pain points that are addressed by Canonical integrating the latest Intel kernel patches in the different Ubuntu flavours, along with the well-known security and reliability features offered through a containerised Ubuntu Core. Additionally, hardware-based security measures integrated into Intel silicon help mitigate firmware, code, and data attacks while dedicated cryptography accelerators speed up data encryption.
“From gas pipelines and governments to grocery kiosks and your grandma, no one is immune.”, commented Cindy Goldberg, VP of Silicon Alliances at Canonical. “With Ubuntu Core, you get a containerized OS, built from the ground-up with security front-and-center. CVEs are tracked and fixed by Canonical, with security patches deployed automatically to the field to keep your fleet secure”
Taking support to the next level
IoT devices have a lifetime that can span for more than 10 years in the field. At the same time enterprises need to constantly innovate and deliver new projects, oftentimes being able to dedicate limited resources to arising challenges. With the Intel-optimized IoT platforms, Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core close this gap for field deployments, by offering up to 10 years of long-term support backed by the Intel and Canonical collaboration. The ability to resolve issues and add new features enables enterprises to confidently rely on an up-to-date fleet of devices. In addition, they can benefit from access to a large ISV and app ecosystem ready to go.
“In addition to solving the unique needs of our IoT customers on a free-to-use validated Linux, our collaboration with Canonical lets customers access enterprise support on a long-term supported release when they look to deploy their solutions,” said John Healy, VP of IOTG Platform Management and Customer Engineering at Intel. “This addresses the traditional challenges of maintaining and supporting customized builds for validated Linux-based deployments.”
Faster time to market & lower costs
To accelerate time to market and reduce development costs, developers and enterprises can benefit from the Ubuntu Certified Hardware program which features a large and growing list of certified ODM boards and devices based on the Intel IoT processors. The devices are exhaustively tested to provide reliable hardware running Ubuntu and are backed with the latest patches from Intel for features such as time-sensitive networking (TSN) and Intel® Time Coordinated Computing (Intel® TCC), targeted to hard real-time applications.
“I am proud to share that today we have multiple boards running in Canonical’s datacenters with first shipments of certified boards already underway.” shared Aaron Su, Associate Vice President Embedded Core Design in Group of EIoT at Advantech based in Taipei, Taiwan. “For Advantech, the program has streamlined resource usage and has accelerated integration of our patchsets into Ubuntu. We pass these cost savings directly to our customers, enabling them to bring their products to market faster by focusing on developing their core application, leaving reliability of boards and components to the experts, for solutions that just work out-of-the-box!”
Get the software
Canonical and Intel will further integrate their product roadmaps to provide differentiated offerings to customers. The first set of Ubuntu Desktop and Core images optimised for Intel IoT processor families and validated on select reference platforms are available for download. Regular updates to these images will continue to integrate the latest software features.
Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries.
About Canonical
Canonical is the publisher of Ubuntu, the OS for most public cloud workloads as well as the emerging categories of smart gateways, self-driving cars and advanced robots. Canonical provides enterprise security, support and services to commercial users of Ubuntu. Established in 2004, Canonical is a privately held company.
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Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W with Ubuntu Server 21.10 support is here
Surprise! The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is here!
The hits keep coming from Raspberry Pi this month. Last week we saw the release of the Raspberry Pi Build Hat, which combines the flexibility of LEGO with the power of the Pi to unlock a new learning experience for educators and makers.
This week it’s the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. We are stoked to confirm that both Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu Core will run on the Zero 2 W. To share the excitement, here is a rundown of the exciting aspects of the Zero 2 W and a guide on how to get started with Ubuntu Server 21.10. Users of 20.04 and Ubuntu Core 20 will have to hold tight until November, but we’ve also included a setup guide below in preparation.
What are the benefits of the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W?
At a technical level, the Pi Zero 2 W features a 1GHz Quad-Core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A43 CPU as part of its new RP3A0 System-in-Package. This performance boost is comparable to the Raspberry Pi 3 series and roughly 5x more powerful than the original Zero W. This is what enables both Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu Core to run on the Zero 2 W.
Combine this with bluetooth and 2.4HGz wireless connectivity and you have a versatile device indeed. But that’s not all!
Power & Portability
The Pi Zero range boasts an extremely low power draw. This is useful for IoT projects like home servers or automation where you want to leave your Pi running indefinitely. For robotics, drones or other portable projects, this also means improved battery efficiency. The small size and low weight are also important considerations for these users.
Camera Support
Like the original Pi Zero W, the CSI-2 connector supports the same range of camera modules as the full-size Pi. However, the quad-core processor on the Zero 2 W means it’s capable of additional image processing such as motion data capture and object recognition.
Cost
At $15, the Zero 2 W is now the cheapest quad-core Pi available. What’s not to love?
If you don’t have access to a Raspberry Pi 3, 4 or 400 it is still possible to configure your 64-bit image to use the Zero 2 W. Dave Jones from the Canonical Raspberry Pi team has written up some instructions on his blog here.
Jesse Pitts has been with the Global Banking & Finance Review since 2016, serving in various capacities, including Graphic Designer, Content Publisher, and Editorial Assistant. As the sole graphic designer for the company, Jesse plays a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of Global Banking & Finance Review. Additionally, Jesse manages the publishing of content across multiple platforms, including Global Banking & Finance Review, Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.