During the past weekend Canonical people made the release of the third point update of Ubuntu version 18.04 LTS, in which this version includes changes related to improving hardware support, Linux kernel update and graphics stack, bug fixes in installer and bootloader.
The composition also includes current updates for several hundred packages related to the elimination of vulnerabilities and problems that affect stability. At the same time, similar updates to Kubuntu 18.04.3 LTS, Ubuntu Budgie 18.04.3 LTS, Ubuntu MATE 18.04.3 LTS, Lubuntu 18.04.3 LTS, Ubuntu Kylin 18.04.3 LTS, and Xubuntu 18.04.3 LTS are introduced.
In addition to releasing a new image of the system with the pertinent corrections, this type of updates are also released with the purpose of avoiding the user having to download a large number of updates after the installation of the system.
Thus, from this new update, new users or those who are going to reinstall the system will have the latest updated packages of the system applications.
What's new in Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS?
This update version for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS includes some supported improvements since Ubuntu 19.04 release, such as which we can highlight that it is proposed to update the packages with Kernel 5.0 (Since in Ubuntu 18.04 release Kernel 4.15 was used and in Ubuntu 18.04.2 - 4.18).
In the installer the server edition introduced support for encrypted LVM partition groups and the ability to use existing disk partitions during installation. Automatic verification of new version of plugin package with installer, if available, prompts you to install update has been implemented.
Also for server edition, a new kernel is added as an option in the installer. It makes sense to use new assemblies only for new installations - previously installed systems can receive all the changes present in Ubuntu 18.04.3 through the standard update installation system.
While for the desktop version, the new kernel and graphics stack are proposed by default.
Since Ubuntu 19.04, a new version of the Livepatch system has been backed up , which provides updates to remove dangerous vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel that are applied to a running system on the fly without requiring a reboot.
On the other hand, the components dThe graphics stack has been updated, including the new versions of mutter 3.28.3 and Mesa 18.2.8, which were tested on Ubuntu 19.04. New video drivers have been added for Intel, AMD and NVIDIA chips.
Also highlighted are the updated versions of OpenJDK 11, LLVM 8, Firefox 66.0.4, cloud-init 18.5-21, ceph 12.2.11, PostgreSQL 10.7, snapd 2.38, modemmanager 1.10.
It is important to remember that for the delivery of new versions of the kernel and the graphics stack, the continuous update support model is used, according to which the supported kernels and drivers will only be supported until the next corrective update of the branch Ubuntu LTS.
For example, the Linux 5.0 kernel proposed in the current version will be supported until the Ubuntu 18.04.4 release, which will offer an Ubuntu 19.10 kernel. The core 4.15 initially delivered will be supported throughout the entire maintenance cycle.
Download or update to the new version of Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS
Finally for those interested in being able to download this new version of Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS They can do so by going to the official website of the system and in its download section you can find the corresponding links for downloading.
Moreover for those who have a previous Ubuntu 18.04 LTS point version and you have not made the relevant update.
They can transfer the new kernel versions and graphics stack only to their existing installation they must open a terminal on their system (you can do it with the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T) and in it they will only have to execute the following command:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04 xserver-xorg-hwe-18.04