This page provides technical and business details on how to use the Certified Ubuntu for AMD Devices release image in deployed (production) systems with an Ubuntu Pro subscription.

Table of Contents

Introduction

AMD partners with Canonical to produce certified release images of the Ubuntu operating system for a selection of AMD evaluation and SOM kits. These release images are provided for evaluation and demonstration purposes only. For users of AMD Kria commercial and industrial grade production SOMs, AMD has worked with Canonical to provide a pathway to using the certified release images in production systems. You can download the Ubuntu images from here. In order to use a secure and compliance-qualified Ubuntu image in a production system, customers can upgrade to Ubuntu Pro for devices.

With Ubuntu Pro, you pay a one-time fee for 10-years of security maintenance and other services provided by Canonical for both the development and deployment of devices. These benefits include:
• A runtime license to use Ubuntu in the deployed product
• Access to on-going Linux kernel security patches
• Access to real-time patches for the Linux kernel
• Compliance and hardening tuning

• Phone and email technical support
• Access to Landscape for Device Management

For the quickest path to deployment, follow the steps below. In order to use the Certified Ubuntu for AMD Devices release image with an AMD Kria SOM in a production system, ensure that your system is 100% compatible with the certified image with no modifications needed.

1. Ensure Certified Ubuntu Kernel and Device Tree Compatibility

In order to deploy the Certified Ubuntu for AMD Devices release image in a production system, the Linux kernel or root filesystem configuration must be tested and certified for use by Canonical. For the greatest ease of use, ensure that your system will work with the released Linux kernel image and root filesystem configuration without modification. If you believe your system will require modifications, please see Step 4 below.

See the Certified Ubuntu Linux Kernel Configuration Page for details about the configuration used in the Certified Ubuntu for AMD Devices release images.

By default, the Certified Ubuntu for AMD Devices release image will automatically load the Linux device tree file based on data found in the SOM and carrier card EEPROMs. The Certified Ubuntu for AMD Devices release image also supports loading a user-defined device tree file called user-override.dtb from the root of the boot media (for example, SD Card or eMMC device). This is the recommended way to load a Linux device tree configuration for deployed systems.

2. Design a Compatible Carrier Card

The Certified Ubuntu for AMD Devices release image used with AMD Kria Starter Kits are certified to operate properly when used with the associated carrier card(s) found in the kit(s). For the highest compatibility and easiest path to deployment, design a carrier card for your AMD Kria Production SOM that provides the same features and components found on the carrier cards found in the AMD Kria Starter Kits.

For more details on designing a compatible carrier card, reference the AMD-Xilinx Kria SOM wiki pages.

3. Subscribe to Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu Pro for Devices provides a comprehensive subscription-based offering layering on Ubuntu that simplifies security for device deployments and ensures compliance with the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). Ubuntu Pro for Devices provides up to 12 years of security maintenance for the entire Ubuntu operating system and over 20,000 popular open source packages, ranging from Python, OpenJDK, OpenCV, MQTT, OpenSSL, Go, to Docker and Robot Operating System (ROS). Additionally, the subscription also provides device management capabilities through Landscape, Canonical’s systems management tool, and access to Real-time Ubuntu for latency-critical use cases.

Canonical partners with silicon vendors, board manufacturers and leading enterprises to shorten time-to-market. If you are deploying Ubuntu on AMD platforms at-scale, contact Canonical to get access to ongoing bug fixes, critical security patching, long-term support; or to learn more about our solutions for custom board enablement, and application development services.

4. Support for Linux Kernel or Root Filesystem Modifications

If your deployment requires a change to the default Linux kernel or root filesystem configuration, it is still possible to use Ubuntu! Please contact Canonical directly for details on a services agreement specific to your needs and deployment schedule.

The Ubuntu operating system is the intellectual property of Canonical. For information about using Canonical’s Ubuntu images on a commercial project, read Canonical’s IP policy.