Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

Basic Information

• Model: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr)
• Version: 14.04.6 LTS
• Release Date: April 17, 2014
• Minimum Requirements:
  • Processor: 700 MHz (Intel Celeron or better)
  • RAM: 512 MiB
  • Storage: 5 GB of hard-drive space
  • Display: VGA capable of 1024x768 resolution
• Supported Operating Systems: As an operating system, it supports various hardware architectures, including 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x86-64) systems.
• Latest Stable Version (of 14.04): 14.04.6 LTS
• End of Standard Support Date: April 25, 2019
• End of Life Date:
  • Standard Support: April 25, 2019
  • With Extended Security Maintenance (ESM): April 2024
  • With Ubuntu Pro Legacy add-on: April 2029 (total 15 years from release)
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Auto-updates for standard security and maintenance ended with the End of Standard Support on April 25, 2019. Updates continued via ESM until April 2024, and are available through the Ubuntu Pro Legacy add-on until April 2029.
• License Type: Ubuntu itself is a distribution of software under various open-source licenses, primarily the GNU General Public License (GPL) and GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) for its core components.
• Deployment Model: Primarily deployed as a desktop operating system and a server operating system. It is also widely used in cloud and scale-out environments.

Canonical Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, codenamed "Trusty Tahr," was released on April 17, 2014, as a long-term support version. It offered five years of standard support, which concluded on April 25, 2019. Subsequently, Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) was available, extending support until April 2024. With the recent Ubuntu Pro Legacy add-on, its support lifecycle has been further extended to a total of 15 years, reaching April 2029 for paying subscribers. The operating system is built upon a collection of open-source software, each governed by its respective license, predominantly GPL. It serves as a versatile platform for both desktop and server deployments, including significant adoption in cloud infrastructure.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 512 MiB for desktop, with 1 GB recommended. Ubuntu GNOME requires 1.5 GB RAM. 32-bit versions can address up to 64 GB of RAM, while 64-bit versions are limited by hardware, potentially up to 256 TB.
• Processor: Minimum 700 MHz (Intel Celeron or better) for desktop, with a dual-core processor recommended. Ubuntu GNOME requires a 1 GHz processor. Supports both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x86-64) architectures.
• Storage: Minimum 5 GB for desktop installation, with 10 GB recommended. Ubuntu GNOME requires 7 GB. The default ext4 filesystem supports up to 1 exbibyte of storage.
• Display: VGA capable of 1024x768 screen resolution. The Unity interface is optimized for high pixel density displays.
• Ports: Requires a CD/DVD drive or a USB port for installation media.
• Operating System: Utilizes the Linux kernel 3.13.

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS is designed to run on a range of hardware, from older systems to more modern configurations. The minimum requirements are modest, allowing it to function on machines with a 700 MHz processor and 512 MiB of RAM. For a smoother experience, a dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM are recommended. The operating system supports both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, with memory addressing capabilities that scale significantly with the latter. Storage requirements are also flexible, starting at 5 GB, with the underlying filesystem supporting very large capacities. Display output requires a standard 1024x768 resolution, and the Unity desktop environment includes optimizations for higher pixel densities. Installation typically requires a bootable CD/DVD or USB drive.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version (of 14.04): 14.04.6 LTS
• OS Support: Compatible with a broad spectrum of hardware, including older PCs. Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.
• End of Support Date:
  • Standard Support: April 25, 2019
  • Extended Security Maintenance (ESM): April 2024
  • Ubuntu Pro Legacy add-on: April 2029
• Localization: Ubuntu is known for extensive localization, supporting numerous languages and regional settings.
• Available Drivers: Ships with a wide array of open-source drivers. Proprietary drivers for graphics cards and other hardware can be installed post-installation.

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS offers robust compatibility across various hardware platforms, including older systems, making it a viable option for extending the life of existing infrastructure. The standard support period concluded in April 2019, followed by Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) until April 2024. For commercial users, the Ubuntu Pro Legacy add-on extends support further, providing security and maintenance until April 2029. The operating system benefits from a global community, ensuring comprehensive localization options. It includes a wide range of open-source drivers out-of-the-box, with options to install proprietary drivers for enhanced performance or specific hardware compatibility.

Security Status

• Security Features: The Linux 3.13 kernel, which underpins Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, includes enhancements focused on security. Canonical provides security updates throughout the support lifecycle. Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM) delivers ongoing kernel security fixes. Ubuntu Pro offers backported fixes for critical, high, and selected medium Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) across the base system and major open-source components.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Specific known vulnerabilities are continuously identified and addressed through security updates provided by Canonical during the active support periods.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable.
• Certifications: Specific certifications for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS are not detailed in public information.
• Encryption Support: As a Linux-based operating system, it supports various encryption methods for disk, file systems, and network communications.
• Authentication Methods: Supports standard Linux authentication mechanisms, including local user accounts with passwords, SSH key-based authentication, and integration with directory services.
• General Recommendations: Users are strongly advised to upgrade to a currently supported Ubuntu LTS release to ensure continued receipt of security patches and updates. For those unable to upgrade, an Ubuntu Pro subscription with the Legacy add-on provides extended security maintenance.

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS incorporates security enhancements from the Linux 3.13 kernel and benefits from Canonical's commitment to providing security updates. During its standard support phase, and subsequently through ESM and Ubuntu Pro, critical security patches are released to mitigate identified vulnerabilities. While specific certifications are not widely publicized, the platform inherently supports robust encryption and authentication methods common in Linux environments. The primary recommendation for maintaining a secure posture is to ensure the system receives ongoing security updates, either by upgrading to a newer, fully supported LTS release or by utilizing the paid Ubuntu Pro service for extended coverage.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Performance comparisons show Ubuntu 14.04 LTS against earlier Ubuntu versions (12.04.4, 13.10) and other distributions like Oracle Linux, CentOS, and openSUSE.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: The Unity desktop environment in 14.04 LTS demonstrates improved performance, consuming less memory and offering a quicker, more stable user experience. Animations are smooth, with few visual glitches. The operating system performs well even on older hardware, such as 7-year-old PCs. Speed of operation, including boot-up and application launching, shows improvements over previous versions.
• Power Consumption: The inclusion of the IntelPowerClamp driver contributes to improved power efficiency. Tools like PowerTOP 2.6 can reduce average power consumption by approximately 10% on laptops, lowering it from 25.6 Watts to 22.9 Watts, and idling consumption from 12 Watts to 10 Watts, without compromising performance.
• Carbon Footprint: Specific data on carbon footprint is not readily available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS is often lauded for its ease of use and extensive software availability compared to some other Linux distributions. However, user reviews indicate a lower overall satisfaction rating (3.5) compared to newer LTS releases like Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (4.6), with newer versions scoring higher in quality of support and meeting user requirements.

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS delivers solid performance, with notable improvements in the Unity desktop environment, which is smoother, more stable, and more memory-efficient than in earlier iterations. It exhibits faster boot times and application loading. The operating system is capable of running effectively on older computer systems, extending their useful life. Power efficiency is a strong point, aided by features like the IntelPowerClamp driver and optimization tools such as PowerTOP, which can significantly reduce power consumption, particularly on battery-powered devices. While generally well-regarded, comparisons with much newer LTS releases show a perceived decline in overall user experience and support quality for 14.04 LTS over time.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS generally highlight its stability and usability, particularly for its time.

• Strengths:
  • The Unity desktop environment received positive feedback for becoming smoother, more stable, and consuming less memory compared to its earlier versions.
  • Users found it easy to install and noted its capability to run well even on older hardware.
  • It was considered a good starting point for new Linux users due to its ease of use.
  • Enhanced support for online accounts provided a more integrated user experience.
  • Improved power efficiency was observed, especially with the IntelPowerClamp driver.
  • The system was seen as a mature and smooth desktop suitable for both business and personal use.
• Weaknesses:
  • The Unity interface, despite improvements, still faced criticism from some users.
  • Some users reported difficulties when attempting to upgrade from 14.04 LTS to newer Ubuntu versions.
  • It was noted for not introducing a significant number of new features compared to its immediate predecessors, being more of a refinement release.
  • The removal of FFMpeg in favor of Libav was a point of contention for some users.
  • A minor usability complaint was the inability to move the close/minimize/maximize buttons to the right side of application windows.
  • Memory usage could sometimes increase significantly after opening multiple applications.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Ideal for cloud and scale-out environments due to its reliability.
  • Recommended for users seeking an easy-to-use operating system without extensive technical knowledge.
  • Considered stable for deploying established software such as web servers and databases.

Summary

Canonical Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, "Trusty Tahr," released in April 2014, stands as a significant Long Term Support release known for its stability and refinements. It provided a solid foundation for both desktop and server environments, including extensive use in cloud infrastructure. The operating system offered a balanced set of technical requirements, making it accessible to a wide range of hardware, including older systems, with minimums of a 700 MHz processor, 512 MiB RAM, and 5 GB storage. Its support lifecycle, initially five years, has been remarkably extended through ESM and the Ubuntu Pro Legacy add-on, now reaching April 2029, offering an unprecedented 15 years of security maintenance for commercial users.

Strengths of Ubuntu 14.04 LTS include a significantly improved and more stable Unity desktop environment, which was praised for its reduced memory consumption and smoother animations. It demonstrated good real-world performance, even on older hardware, and incorporated power efficiency enhancements like the IntelPowerClamp driver. Its ease of installation and broad software availability made it a popular choice for beginners and for stable server deployments. The robust open-source licensing model provided flexibility and transparency.

Weaknesses primarily revolved around the Unity interface, which, despite improvements, still had its detractors. Some users found the upgrade path to newer Ubuntu versions challenging. While a refinement release, it lacked major new features, and certain changes, like the replacement of FFMpeg, were not universally welcomed. Minor usability issues, such as fixed window button placement, were also noted.

Recommendations: For new deployments or systems requiring active, free support, migrating to a more recent Ubuntu LTS release is strongly advised to ensure access to the latest security patches and features. However, for organizations with legacy systems or specific compliance requirements that necessitate staying on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, the Ubuntu Pro subscription with the Legacy add-on provides a critical pathway for extended security maintenance until April 2029. This makes Ubuntu 14.04 LTS a viable, albeit commercially supported, option for long-term enterprise deployments.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.