Ubuntu, the leading Linux distribution extensively used across cloud platforms, is endorsed by Microsoft for Azure. These images are fine-tuned to enhance compatibility and performance on Azure, ensuring support for the latest cloud features as they are released. Known for its robust security and stability, Ubuntu powers more mission-critical workloads than any other operating system.

Key Features:

Trusted source for open source: Official Images created by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, in a trusted build pipeline.
Optimized for Azure: Ubuntu images are fine-tuned in collaboration with Microsoft to enhance performance on Azure, supporting the latest cloud features effectively.
Integration with Azure Tools: Integrates with tools like Azure Guest Patching and the Update Management Center, streamlining updates and management to ensure security while adhering to Safe Deployment Practices for improved stability.
Security and stability: Canonical tracks and delivers updates regularly, embedding security from the initial deployment to safeguard your operations.
Developer-friendly: Supports a wide array of libraries and tools, boosting productivity and enabling innovation.
Seamless upgrade path: Upgrading to Ubuntu Pro from other Ubuntu plans in this offer is straightforward and can be done at any time, ensuring you gain advanced security and compliance benefits without disrupting your operations. Learn how to effortlessly upgrade to Ubuntu Pro.

Features of Ubuntu Pro plans:

Kernel Livepatch: Enables run-time application of kernel patches without rebooting, minimizing downtime.
Expanded Security Maintenance: Provides up to 12 years of security updates, ensuring long-term support for enterprise applications.
Enhanced package security: Extends security maintenance to thousands of packages, including critical applications such as Apache Kafka, NGINX, MongoDB, Redis, and PostgreSQL, allowing teams to consume a vast collection of open source software while meeting their internal security, governance, and compliance requirements.
Landscape: Automates security management tasks across your Ubuntu estate, available on request, streamlining control and security.
Compliance and hardening: Reduce your operational risk with certified automation tools for hardening and compliance profiles. Includes FIPS 140 certified components, with optional CIS hardening profile and DISA STIG.
FIPS 140-3: Certified kernel and cryptographic modules (OpenSSL, libgcrypt, GnuTLS).

Choosing the right plan:

Pick Ubuntu Pro 22.04 LTS for most production servers where you want Long Term Support plus Livepatch, ESM and broad package coverage.
Pick Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS for reliable, economical servers where Ubuntu Pro’s extra security/compliance isn’t required.
Pick Ubuntu Minimal 22.04 LTS for a lightweight base image for automated deployments; not designed for interactive use.
Pick Ubuntu Pro FIPS 22.04 LTS when you need FIPS 140-3 certified crypto and kernel modules out of the box for regulated workloads.
Pick Ubuntu Pro Minimal 22.04 LTS for a lean, non-interactive base with Pro features; start small and add only the packages you need.
Pick Ubuntu Pro Minimal 22.04 LTS with CIS Hardening (Level 1 or Level 2) when you want a minimal image with pre-applied CIS benchmarks (Level 1 for balanced security/usability; Level 2 for stricter environments).
Pick Confidential VM variants (Pro or Server) for Azure’s hardware-based memory encryption protecting data at rest, in transit and in use.

If you require enterprise technical support for your Ubuntu instances, please contact us.

Additional Resources:

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS - all plans including Ubuntu Pro

di Canonical