The Amazon team announced that it is now possible to configure the Ubuntu desktop for developers, engineers or data scientists. The move will allow virtual desktop users more choice and access to new categories of workloads. " It also provides a consistent experience for virtual desktop administrators, whether you're managing Windows-based or Linux-based desktops for your employees. You can now have one process and one set of tools to manage most of your desktop operating systems ."
The HackerEarth 2020 developer survey states that Ubuntu is the most widely used operating system among professional developers (66% Ubuntu, 61% Windows and 57% macOS). Amazon says that offering Ubuntu desktop on WorkSpaces provides developers and engineers with a familiar and compatible environment; giving them the option to work from anywhere . And have access to a vast array of open source tools and libraries on the cutting edge of data science, AI/ML, cloud, and IoT. All Ubuntu WorkSpaces benefit from Ubuntu Pro, which includes support for the 10-year Extended Security Patch.
According to Alex Gallagher, VP of Cloud at Canonical :
We're bringing Ubuntu Desktop to WorkSpaces so developers can simplify the design, coding, pipeline, and deployment of Ubuntu-based workloads (whether instances or containers) in AWS environments. Additionally, Ubuntu Virtual Desktop on WorkSpaces enables IT organizations to quickly and easily provision high-performance Ubuntu desktop instances, available as a fully managed AWS service. This is a win for IT organizations and their end users in the face of continued and increasing pressure to support the security and productivity needs of hybrid workers.
According to the introduction, for IT administrators, provisioning an Ubuntu desktop is no different than pre-provisioning a Windows or Amazon Linux desktop; hardware packages with various sizes of CPU and memory can be selected according to the end-user 's needs. Workspaces are bound to Active Directory. Users can use on-premises AD or fully managed directory services in the cloud.
For this release, Amazon chose to use the 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish) version. It's worth mentioning that Ubuntu Workspaces is available in all AWS regions where Workspaces are available, with the exception of Ningxia, China. Officials say it is working to add support for Ningxia as a quick follow-up after launch.
More details can be found in the official announcement .