Ubuntu kernel lifecycle and enablement stack
The Ubuntu LTS enablement, or Hardware Enablement (HWE), stacks provide the newer kernel and X support for existing Ubuntu LTS releases. These stacks can be installed manually, but are also installed with an Ubuntu LTS point release.
These newer enablement stacks are meant for desktop and server, and are also recommended for cloud or virtual images. However, if you want to remain on the original GA (General Availability) stacks, the options are:
- Install from a previous 12.04.0/12.04.1/14.04.0/14.04.1/16.04.0/16.04.1/18.04.0/18.04.1 point release and update. Previous releases are archived at old-releases.ubuntu.com
- Perform an update or upgrade to an LTS release from a previous release
- Perform a network install using the netboot images rather than the new <release>-netboot images
Installation
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS — Precise Pangolin
Desktop:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-trusty xserver-xorg-lts-trusty libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-trustyServer:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-trustyThe 12.04.2 and newer point releases shipped with an updated kernel and X stack by default. The hardware enablement stack is comprised of the newer kernel and X stacks from 14.04 (Trusty).
Ubuntu 14.04 LTS — Trusty Tahr
Desktop:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-core-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-video-all-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-input-all-lts-xenial libwayland-egl1-mesa-lts-xenialServer:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-xenialThe 14.04.2 and newer point releases ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default. If you have installed with older media, you can use these instructions to install the newer HWE kernel derived from 16.04 (Xenial).
If you run a multiarch desktop (for example, i386 and amd64 on amd64, for gaming or Wine), you may find you need a slightly more involved command:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-core-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-video-all-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-input-all-lts-xenial libwayland-egl1-mesa-lts-xenial libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-xenial libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-xenial:i386 libglapi-mesa-lts-xenial:i386Ubuntu 16.04 LTS — Xenial Xerus
Desktop:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-16.04 xserver-xorg-hwe-16.04Server:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-16.04The 16.04.2 and newer point releases ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default for the desktop. Server installations default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional.The 16.04 HWE Stacks follow the Rolling Update Model.
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS — Bionic Beaver
Desktop:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04 xserver-xorg-hwe-18.04Server:
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04The 18.04.2 and newer point releases will ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default for the desktop. Server installations will default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional.
The 18.04 HWE Stacks will follow the Rolling Update Model.
Check your support status
To determine if your install is still supported, use this terminal command:
hwe-support-status --verbose