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What's New in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS - Resolute Raccoon

25 Apr, 2026

Introduction

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed Resolute Raccoon, introduces major changes for server and VPS deployments that administrators and developers must understand before upgrading. It ships with Linux kernel 7.0, adds native NVIDIA CUDA and AMD ROCm support via official repositories, and enables TPM-backed full-disk encryption for cloud and virtualized environments. Security is strengthened through Rust-based system utilities like sudo-rs and expanded confidential computing for Intel TDX and AMD SEV. The release also finalizes deprecation of legacy networking components, requiring updates to configuration scripts.

This guide highlights the most important new features and breaking changes for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS in VPS and server environments.

Linux Kernel 7.0 for Servers

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS debuts with Linux kernel 7.0, bringing substantial improvements for server workloads and virtualized environments. The new kernel introduces targeted optimizations for cloud providers and VPS platforms. For industrial and edge VPS deployments, the kernel integrates the IgH EtherCAT Master module, bringing microsecond-level timing precision for real-time networking protocols. The kernel also introduces support for RVA23, the baseline standard for RISC-V architecture, allowing VPS providers offering RISC-V instances to run Ubuntu 26.04 seamlessly.

Key kernel improvements include:

To check your kernel version after installing Ubuntu 26.04:

console
$ uname -r

Output:

7.0.0-14-generic

Native AI and GPU Support

One of the most significant changes for VPS users operating GPU-enabled instances is the native integration of AI development toolkits directly into official Ubuntu repositories. For the first time, you can install NVIDIA CUDA without adding external PPAs or handling complex repository configurations.

NVIDIA CUDA is now distributed natively in Ubuntu repositories, simplifying the setup of AI development environments and GPU-accelerated computing workflows. The AMD ROCm software platform is also available from official repositories, providing an open software ecosystem for hardware-accelerated AI and machine learning on AMD Instinct and Radeon GPUs. Additionally, NVIDIA DOCA-OFED for high-performance networking is accessible through an official PPA starting with this release.

This integration means organizations can enable powerful AI capabilities across data center servers while developers can seamlessly build and deploy GPU-accelerated applications with one-click access from Canonical's repositories.

To verify that NVIDIA CUDA is available from the default repository:

console
$ apt search nvidia-cuda

Output:

boinc-client-nvidia-cuda/resolute 8.2.9+dfsg-1build1 amd64
  metapackage for CUDA-savvy BOINC client and manager

nvidia-cuda-dev/resolute 12.4.127~12.4.1-8 amd64
  NVIDIA CUDA development files

nvidia-cuda-gdb/resolute 12.4.127~12.4.1-8 amd64
  NVIDIA CUDA Debugger (GDB)

nvidia-cuda-samples/resolute 12.5~dfsg-2 all
  Samples which demonstrate features in NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit

nvidia-cuda-toolkit/resolute 12.4.131~12.4.1-8 amd64
  NVIDIA CUDA development toolkit

nvidia-cuda-toolkit-doc/resolute 12.4.1-8 all
  NVIDIA CUDA and OpenCL documentation

nvidia-cuda-toolkit-gcc/resolute 12.4.1-8 amd64
  NVIDIA CUDA development toolkit (GCC compatibility)

To install NVIDIA CUDA without adding external PPAs:

console
$ sudo apt install -y nvidia-cuda-toolkit

For AMD GPU instances:

console
$ sudo apt install -y rocm

Security Enhancements

Security receives comprehensive improvements across multiple layers of the operating system for VPS deployments.

Rust-Based System Utilities

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS replaces several foundational system utilities with memory-safe Rust reimplementations. This change reduces the risk of memory-related vulnerabilities in critical system code. The new Rust-based utilities include sudo-rs, a memory-safe reimplementation of the sudo command, and uutils coreutils, modern replacements for core utilities including ls, cp, and mv. Your existing sudo configuration files continue to work without modification.

To verify the sudo version, which now uses the Rust-based sudo-rs:

console
$ sudo --version

Output:

sudo-rs 0.2.13-0ubuntu1

Password Input Feedback

Starting with Ubuntu 26.04 LTS the console now shows asterisks when you type a password. This change comes from the new Rust-based sudo-rs implementation, which enables the pwfeedback option by default. The goal is to give users visible feedback that their keystrokes are being registered, making the system feel more responsive.

Confidential Computing Support

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS delivers both guest and host support for confidential computing on Intel Trust Domain Extensions (TDX) and AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV). This enables silicon-level encryption for sensitive workloads, particularly valuable for VPS hosting confidential data or running confidential AI workloads. Organizations handling regulated data can now deploy Ubuntu VPS instances with hardware-grade isolation between tenants.

TPM-Backed Full-Disk Encryption

The Ubuntu 26.04 server installer includes generally available support for TPM-backed full-disk encryption for cloud and virtualized environments where TPM passthrough is available. By tying encryption to a virtual TPM, disk encryption binds to a specific VPS instance. This approach significantly raises the barrier against unauthorized disk access while potentially improving user experience by eliminating the need to enter a passphrase at each boot for headless servers.

Networking Stack Changes

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS completes the deprecation of legacy networking components, which may affect existing VPS configurations with custom networking scripts.

Deprecated Components

The following components are removed or require explicit installation:

nftables as Default Firewall

Ubuntu 26.04 uses nftables as the default firewall framework instead of iptables. The nftables framework provides better performance, simpler syntax, and improved atomic rule updates compared to its predecessor.

To check the active firewall rules:

console
$ sudo nft list ruleset

Output:

table inet filter {
    chain input {
        type filter hook input priority filter; policy drop;
        iif lo accept
        ct state established,related accept
        tcp dport 22 accept
    }
}

Systemd and Service Management

Ubuntu 26.04 ships with systemd 257, introducing several improvements for service management on VPS instances. These enhancements make service deployment, monitoring, and maintenance more efficient for system administrators.

New systemd features include:

Python 3.14 as Default

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS sets Python 3.14 as the default Python version, replacing Python 3.12 from Ubuntu 24.04. Python 3.14 introduces performance improvements including faster interpreter startup and reduced memory usage for typical web application workloads. The new version also includes enhanced pattern matching syntax and improved error messages for easier debugging.

To verify the Python version:

console
$ python3 --version

Output:

Python 3.14.4

Updated Server Toolchains

Developers running workloads on VPS benefit from updated language toolchains available directly from Ubuntu repositories. These updated versions bring performance improvements, security patches, and new language features for building modern applications.

Available toolchain versions include:

Language Version Installation Command
GCC 15.2 sudo apt install gcc-15
Python 3.14 sudo apt install python3.14
LLVM 21 sudo apt install llvm-21
Rust 1.93 sudo apt install rustc-1.93
Golang 1.25 sudo apt install golang-1.25
Zig 0.14.1 sudo apt install zig-0.14.1
OpenJDK 25 sudo apt install openjdk-25-jdk

.NET developers receive special attention, as Ubuntu 26.04 LTS comes with .NET 10 pre-packaged. .NET 8 and 9 remain available through the dotnet-backports PPA for those who need specific versions.

Storage and Filesystem Improvements

Ubuntu 26.04 introduces several storage-related enhancements that benefit VPS deployments, particularly those handling large datasets or database workloads.

bcachefs Support

The bcachefs filesystem, which combines the performance of caching with the reliability of copy-on-write (COW) and checksumming, now receives full support. Bcachefs offers features comparable to Btrfs and ZFS while maintaining lower overhead, making it suitable for VPS instances with limited resources.

NVMe Optimization

The kernel includes optimized NVMe driver with lower latency for database and high-throughput workloads. Cloud VPS instances using NVMe storage see measurable performance improvements for random read and write operations.

Support Lifespan

As an LTS release, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS receives standard security updates and critical bug fixes for five years, until April 2031. This predictable lifecycle makes it suitable for production VPS deployments requiring long-term stability without frequent distribution upgrades.

Ubuntu Pro subscribers gain access to Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM) updates for ten years, extending support through April 2036. Ubuntu Pro is free for personal and small-scale commercial use on up to five machines, making extended security coverage accessible for development VPS instances.

Conclusion

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS "Resolute Raccoon" delivers major updates for VPS and server users, combining Linux kernel 7.0 with native NVIDIA CUDA and AMD ROCm support, Rust-based utilities like sudo-rs for stronger security, and nftables as the default firewall completing iptables deprecation. Python 3.14 is now the default interpreter, with updated toolchains for GCC, Rust, Golang, and .NET 10.

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