** Description changed: Dear Release Team, We request approval for a Feature Freeze Exception (FFE) to introduce a new Hardware Enablement (HWE) userspace virtualization stack for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, consisting of -hwe-suffixed packages for the core virtualization components: - qemu - libvirt - edk2 - seabios) [Rationale] Modern hardware-assisted virtualization and confidential computing technologies evolve at a pace closely tied to CPU and platform innovation, significantly faster than the Ubuntu LTS release cadence. At the same time, production virtualization deployments overwhelmingly rely on Ubuntu LTS releases, creating a gap between available hardware capabilities and the software stack provided by a stable LTS. This FFE proposes a rolling userspace HWE virtualization stack, conceptually aligned with the existing kernel HWE model. Over the lifetime of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, the -hwe virtualization stack would be updated—via a dedicated SRU exception—to track the versions shipped in subsequent Ubuntu releases. This allows LTS users to access new virtualization and confidential-computing features without upgrading to a non-LTS release. This approach enables: - Ongoing support for new virtualization features throughout the LTS lifecycle - Enablement of new hardware and CPU capabilities as they become available - Timely delivery of critical virtualization functionality without waiting for the next LTS - Consistent platform enablement by aligning userspace virtualization with the kernel HWE strategy The -base and -hwe stacks will coexist but be mutually exclusive at install time, allowing users to explicitly choose between maximum stability (base) and newer feature enablement (hwe). [Scope of Changes] The following new source packages will be introduced: qemu-hwe (from qemu) libvirt-hwe (from libvirt) edk2-hwe (from edk2) seabios-hwe (from seabios) At Ubuntu 26.04 release time, the -hwe packages will be functionally identical to the -base packages. Divergence will occur only after the Ubuntu 26.10 release, at which point the -hwe stack will begin tracking newer upstream versions via an approved SRU exception process. [Content] - PPA: TBD + PPA: https://launchpad.net/~hectorcao/+archive/ubuntu/ubuntu-hwe-virt Code branches (to be created): - qemu-hwe: https://code.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-virt/ubuntu/+source/qemu-hwe - libvirt-hwe: https://code.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-virt/ubuntu/+source/libvirt-hwe - edk2-hwe: https://code.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-virt/ubuntu/+source/edk2-hwe - seabios-hwe: https://code.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-virt/ubuntu/+source/seabios-hwe Autopkgtest results available at the PPA. [Testing Performed] Build testing: - All packages successfully built on amd64, arm64, armhf, ppc64el, s390x, riscv64 - Build logs available in PPA - No new build warnings or errors introduced Testing of the switch between stacks: - TBD Upgrade testing: - Upgrade from qemu-base to qemu-hwe (removing base, installing hwe): TODO - Downgrade from qemu-hwe to qemu-base: TODO - Verified existing VM configurations remain functional after stack switch (TODO) [Regression Potential] The proposed change is fully opt-in, and therefore poses low risk to existing users who remain on the -base stack. However, the introduction of a parallel virtualization stack does increase maintenance and testing complexity. Potential regression risks include: - - Package conflicts or dependency issues in the -hwe stack + - Package conflicts or dependency issues in the -hwe stack - - Incompatibilities with older components outside the -hwe scope + - Incompatibilities with older components outside the -hwe scope - - Configuration handling issues when switching between stacks, + - Configuration handling issues when switching between stacks, including loss of state or inability to revert cleanly - - Regressions introduced by future SRU updates as the -hwe stack tracks + - Regressions introduced by future SRU updates as the -hwe stack tracks newer releases These risks are mitigated by: - - Explicit user opt-in + - Explicit user opt-in - - Mutual exclusivity between -base and -hwe packages + - Mutual exclusivity between -base and -hwe packages - - A dedicated SRU exception with enhanced review and testing + - A dedicated SRU exception with enhanced review and testing requirements [Seeded Packages] None is auto-installed, but some might be on the repo for offline install.
-- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2143146 Title: [Ubuntu 26.04] New HWE stack for Ubuntu virtualization components To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/2143146/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
