Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

Basic Information

• Model: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus)
• Version: 16.04
• Release Date: April 21, 2016
• Minimum Requirements: A 2 GHz dual-core processor, 2 GB of system memory, and 25 GB of free hard drive space.
• Supported Operative Systems: As an operating system itself, it supports various hardware architectures.
• Latest Stable Version (of 16.04): 16.04.7 LTS
• End of Standard Support Date: April 2021
• End of Life Date: April 2026 with Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) through Ubuntu Advantage/Ubuntu Pro. Without ESM, the end of life was April 2021.
• Auto-Update Expiration Date: Security updates ceased with the end of standard support in April 2021. Updates continue until April 2026 for those with an ESM subscription.
• License Type: Open-source, primarily under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and other free software licenses.
• Deployment Model: Desktop, Server, Cloud, and IoT environments.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 2 GB, with 4 GB recommended for a smoother experience.
• Processor: A 2 GHz dual-core processor or better.
• Storage: A minimum of 25 GB of free disk space is required for a full installation, while a minimal install can use as little as 8.6 GB.
• Display: VGA capable of 1024x768 screen resolution. A 3D acceleration-capable GPU with at least 256 MB of VRAM is recommended for desktop effects.
• Ports: A USB port or DVD drive is necessary for installation media.
• Operating System: Not applicable, as this is the operating system itself.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS maintains relatively moderate technical requirements, allowing it to operate on a broad spectrum of hardware, including older systems. The recommended specifications ensure a more comfortable user experience, especially when utilizing the Unity desktop environment and graphically intensive applications. The flexibility in storage requirements caters to both full-featured and minimal installations.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version (of 16.04): 16.04.7 LTS.
• OS Support: Officially compatible with x86_64 (AMD64/EM64T), ARM64 (AArch64), PowerPC64 (POWER), and System z (S390X) architectures. While 32-bit x86 (i386) images were available, official support for this architecture was phased out in later Ubuntu versions.
• End of Support Date: Standard public support concluded in April 2021. Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) is available until April 2026 for subscribers of Ubuntu Advantage or Ubuntu Pro, providing continued security updates.
• Localization: Ubuntu offers extensive localization support for numerous languages, catering to a global user base.
• Available Drivers: Includes a wide array of open-source drivers for various hardware components. Notably, proprietary AMD fglrx drivers were no longer supported, with reliance shifting to open-source AMD drivers.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, while past its standard support period, benefits from Canonical's ESM program, extending critical security updates for enterprise users until 2026. Its broad support for major processor architectures makes it a versatile choice for diverse computing environments. The shift towards open-source drivers, particularly for graphics, aimed to improve long-term compatibility and stability, though it initially presented challenges for some users accustomed to proprietary solutions.

Security Status

• Security Features: Incorporates AppArmor for mandatory access control, automatic daily security updates via unattended-upgrades, and Kernel Livepatches for applying critical kernel security fixes without requiring a reboot (available for up to three nodes for free for personal users). It includes a configurable firewall, password hashing, SYN cookies, Address Space Layout Randomisation (ASLR), stack and heap protectors, pointer obfuscation, and is built with Position-Independent Executables (PIE) and Fortify Source. It also supports the ZFS filesystem, which offers snapshot capabilities.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Canonical regularly releases security advisories and patches to address identified Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs).
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable to the operating system itself.
• Certifications: Ubuntu 16.04 is a Common Criteria certified operating system and provides access to FIPS 140-2 certified cryptographic modules.
• Encryption Support: Offers support for storage encryption, including Encrypted LVM and file encryption, as well as secure communication protocols like TLS.
• Authentication Methods: Supports standard Linux authentication mechanisms, including password-based authentication and SSH key-based authentication.
• General Recommendations: For optimal security, users are advised to upgrade to a newer Long Term Support (LTS) release of Ubuntu. If immediate upgrade is not feasible, subscribing to Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) is recommended to continue receiving security patches.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS was designed with a strong focus on security, integrating numerous features to protect against various threats. Its certifications underscore its robustness for secure environments. However, with its standard support period concluded, relying on ESM is critical for maintaining a secure posture against new vulnerabilities. Without ESM, the system is at increased risk of cyberattacks.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Early benchmarks showed Ubuntu 16.04 LTS performing comparably to other contemporary Linux distributions like Fedora 23 and openSUSE 42.1. However, some tests indicated slower boot times and increased memory usage compared to previous Ubuntu versions (e.g., 15.10 and 15.04).
• Real-World Performance Metrics: Users generally reported good stability. Boot times were observed to be slower, and memory consumption higher, than its immediate predecessors.
• Power Consumption: The 64-bit version demonstrated slightly lower average power consumption compared to the 32-bit version on an ultrabook (30.2 Watts vs. 31.9 Watts). Tools like powerstat and pm-utils are available for monitoring and managing power usage.
• Carbon Footprint: The carbon footprint is primarily dependent on the underlying hardware and usage patterns, rather than the operating system itself.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Performance is generally balanced and competitive with other mainstream Linux distributions. Distributions like Clear Linux, with aggressive optimizations, sometimes showed higher raw performance in specific benchmarks.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS offers stable and balanced performance suitable for a wide range of tasks. While it showed some regressions in boot speed and memory footprint compared to earlier Ubuntu releases, it remained a solid performer against other distributions of its era. The 64-bit architecture generally provides better power efficiency, and various tools allow for further power optimization.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS highlighted several key aspects:

• Strengths: Users frequently praised its stability and the benefit of Long Term Support, making it a preferred choice for critical work and enterprise environments. The inclusion of an updated Linux Kernel (4.4) improved hardware support for newer systems. The introduction of Snap packages was seen as a significant advancement for easier, sandboxed application deployment and enhanced security. Support for the ZFS filesystem was also a welcome addition.
• Weaknesses: Some users noted increased boot times and higher memory usage compared to previous Ubuntu versions. The removal of proprietary AMD fglrx drivers, shifting to open-source alternatives, was a point of concern for users seeking optimal gaming performance. There were also reports of older hardware experiencing slowdowns after upgrading to 16.04 LTS. Initial availability of Snap packages was limited.
• Recommended Use Cases: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS was widely recommended for enterprise users, individuals requiring a highly stable system for critical work, and home users who prioritize reliability and long-term support over the absolute latest software versions.

Summary

Canonical Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, codenamed "Xenial Xerus," released on April 21, 2016, served as a robust and stable Long Term Support operating system. It offered a balanced set of features and performance suitable for both desktop and server environments. Key strengths included its five-year standard support period, which concluded in April 2021, and the availability of Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) until April 2026, providing crucial security updates for enterprise users.

Technically, it required a modest 2 GHz dual-core processor, 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended), and 25 GB of storage, making it accessible to a wide range of hardware. It boasted broad compatibility across x86_64, ARM64, PowerPC64, and System z architectures.

Security was a strong focus, with features like AppArmor, automatic security updates, Kernel Livepatches, and FIPS 140-2 certified cryptographic modules. Performance was generally stable and competitive for its time, though some users observed increased boot times and memory usage compared to prior Ubuntu releases. The introduction of Snap packages was a significant innovation, aiming to simplify application deployment and enhance security through sandboxing.

User feedback highlighted its stability and long-term support as major advantages, making it ideal for critical applications. However, the transition away from proprietary AMD graphics drivers and some performance regressions were noted as weaknesses.

Recommendations: For users currently on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, an upgrade to a more recent LTS release (e.g., Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or newer) is strongly recommended to benefit from ongoing free security updates, modern features, and improved performance. For environments where immediate upgrades are not feasible, subscribing to Ubuntu Advantage for ESM is essential to maintain security and compliance until a migration can occur.

The 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.