Canonical has officially released Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, codenamed “Noble Numbat.” This latest Long-Term Support (LTS) version brings a host of new features, improvements, and extended support that make it a significant update for developers, system administrators, and everyday users alike.
Key Features and Improvements
1. Enhanced Rust Integration
One of the standout features of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is its comprehensive support for the Rust programming language. The release ships with Rust 1.75 and a streamlined Rust toolchain snap framework. This facilitates the integration of Rust into critical Ubuntu packages, such as the kernel and Firefox, and ensures that developers can easily access future Rust versions on this LTS release.
2. New Installer Technology
For the first time, the Ubuntu Desktop version utilizes the same installer technology as Ubuntu Server. This integration allows desktop administrators to use tools like autoinstall and cloud-init to create customized installation experiences. Additionally, the user interface has been revamped with a modern design built using Flutter, enhancing the overall user experience.
3. Confidential Computing
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS makes significant strides in confidential computing, offering a robust solution for securing data during runtime. This release supports confidential virtual machines on major cloud platforms, including Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services. It is also the first Linux distribution to support confidential GPUs on the public cloud, leveraging NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs and AMD 4th Gen EPYC processors with SEV-SNP technology.
4. Active Directory and WSL Enhancements
Managing mixed Windows and Ubuntu environments is now more seamless with the updated Active Directory Group Policy client in Ubuntu Pro. This client supports enterprise proxy configuration, privilege management, and remote script execution. Ubuntu on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) also sees improvements, including cloud-init support for image customization and standardization across developer environments.
5. Extended Support
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS comes with a substantial support commitment. Canonical provides five years of free security maintenance, extendable to 10 years with Ubuntu Pro, and an additional two years with the Legacy Support add-on. This extended support ensures long-term stability and security for enterprise users and developers.
Conclusion
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS “Noble Numbat” is a robust and versatile release that caters to a wide range of users, from individual developers to large enterprises. Its integration of modern programming tools, enhanced security features, and extended support period make it a compelling choice for those looking to build and maintain secure, high-performance systems.
For more information, you can read the full release notes on the official Ubuntu website.