Canonical’s latest Ubuntu release jumps on the most recent Kubernetes update, but is touted as more of a preview for what’s to come.

The Kubernetes and container updates for Ubuntu 17.10 are embedded in Canonical’s CDK distribution. The most recent security updates include those that were part of the latest Kubernetes 1.8 release from earlier this month. Other security components include namespaced file capabilities for the grouping of identifiers around a specific functionality, and Linux Security Module stacking.

The Kubernetes 1.8 release focused on updates to the security and stability of what has become the market’s leading container orchestration platform.

Canonical was a founding member of the recently announced Kubernetes Certified Service Providers (KCSP) program that the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) launched last month. Canonical was deemed certification-worthy of helping enterprises adopt Kubernetes as a container orchestrator.

Canonical said its CDK now includes native cloud integration with Amazon Web Services (AWS); native deployment and operations on VMware; support for Canal policy-based networking for cloud native applications; and support for the IBM's zSeries mainframe.

The Ubuntu release also includes the Linux 4.13 kernel that was unveiled last month. It offers support for the latest hardware and peripherals from ARM, IBM, Dell, and Intel, and for disk drives using the OPAL encryption specification.

Ubuntu is Canonical’s distribution system for Linux designed to run on computing devices, network servers, and in the cloud. The Ubuntu naming scheme is from the year and month of the latest release, thus 17.10 was released in October 2017. The last release was 17.04.

Ubuntu was recently included as the operating system for SnapRoute’s integrated software stack for white-box deployments. AT&T uses SnapRoute as part of its white box disaggregation efforts.

The latest release is not considered a major Ubuntu update. Those garner a more substantial long-term support (LTS) designation. Ubuntu 17.10 is scheduled for support through July 2018, or basically Canonical’s standard nine-month support window.

Canonical CEO and Founder Mark Shuttleworth noted the latest Ubuntu update previewed what was coming with the next LTS release. Shuttleworth said that release, currently scheduled for next April (18.04), will include “a new generation of operations for AI [artificial intelligence], container-based applications, and edge computing.”

Shuttleworth was recently welcomed back to the CEO position following the departure of Jane Silber, who left in July. Silber remains a Canonical board member.