Canonical focuses on cloud with Linux upgrade

Linux distro Canonical is putting more emphasis on the cloud with its latest server OS 12.04 LTS (Long Term Solution).

The new OS features the Essex release of the OpenStack cloud fabric layer. This feature should make it easier to deploy workloads using the OS in the cloud.

The developers have also created a continuous integration test set up to test OpenStack changes before rolling out to Ubuntu repositories. This is believed will improve stability of OpenStack when running on top of the Linux OS.

Called Precise Pangolin, the server software boasts an updated version of the company's Juju stack for service deployment, so users can automate processes, such as running big data databases in the server.

An LTS release is pushed out every two years with security patches maintained for five years. The latest version also supports servers running an ARM processor, which is gaining popularity in cloud deployments.

A future OS, dubbed Quantal Quetzal, will incorporate a new networking stack, called Quantum, which is the virtual network service for OpenStack.

“On the cloud front, the new virtualized network madness called Quantum will make its appearance," said Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth on his blog. "Being a first cut, it’s more likely to be Folsom than wholesome, but it’s going to be worth calling out, and the name is reminiscent of our package-oriented practices, where goodness is delivered one piece at a time."

The company has also launched a new set of application programmable interfaces (APIs) that allow organisations to start instances on Amazon's AWS or OpenStack clouds. Dubbed  AWSOME (Any Web Service Over ME), this can translate AWS calls so they can be understood by OpenStack.

The company is also offering a 12.04 update for desktops. this will support desktop virtualisation from VMware adn Citrix as well as Microsoft RDPv 7.1.