Apache Karaf on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Apache Karaf is a modern, polymorphic OSGi-based application and runtime container from the Apache Software Foundation. It runs modular Java applications and microservices with hot deployment, dynamic configuration, a powerful provisioning and feature system, and a full management console. This cloudimg image runs Karaf 4.4.11 on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS as a single systemd service on OpenJDK 17, running as an unprivileged user, security patched and kept current by unattended upgrades.

The runtime is configured to be secure by default. Stock Karaf ships a well-known default login (karaf/karaf) for its SSH console and management interfaces; this image never ships that state. A unique console credential is generated on this virtual machine's first boot and written to a root only file, so no two deployments share a password and nothing usable is baked into the image. The Karaf SSH management console listens on TCP 8101 and authenticates against the rotated per VM credential.

Use this image as a ready runtime for modular Java applications, OSGi microservices, and enterprise integration and provisioning workloads. Administer it over the SSH console with commands such as feature:list, bundle:install and system:version, or drop OSGi bundles and KAR archives into the deploy folder. The paired deployment guide walks through reading the per VM credential, logging in to the console, listing installed features, confirming the default login is rejected, and adding your own users.

Apache Karaf is distributed under the Apache 2.0 license, free and open source with no per CPU or per deployment fee. cloudimg is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Apache Software Foundation; Apache Karaf is a trademark of its owner. cloudimg provides packaging, the secure by default first boot posture with a per VM credential, security patching, and 24/7 support with a guaranteed 24 hour response SLA.