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This page walks you through the steps to deploy an Ubuntu machine with a real-time (RT) kernel^. The RT kernel comes with all Ubuntu Pro^ subscriptions for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.
The RT kernel is currently in Beta. General availability is coming soon.
RT kernel install
The RT kernel isn’t directly integrated into MAAS. Instead, cloud-init is used to first deploy a generic kernel. Then cloud-init installs the RT kernel and reboots the machine to enable it. Be aware that after MAAS marks the machine as DEPLOYED, there will be a delay while cloud-init completes and the machine reboots.
Sequence of events
- Machine deploys with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and a generic kernel.
- Machine reboots.
- Bootloader instructed to boot from disk.
- Host requests MAAS for configuration.
- MAAS sends cloud-init config to host.
- Cloud-init activates Ubuntu Pro.
- Ubuntu Pro agent installs the RT kernel.
- Another reboot to enable the new kernel.
- System is ready for use.
What you’ll need
- Valid Ubuntu Pro token (find yours at Ubuntu Pro Dashboard^^*^^).
- MAAS 3.2 or later with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS images.
- A host compatible with Ubuntu RT kernel.
- Internet connection.
Offline installation of the RT kernel is not supported currently.
RT kernel deployment
Perform these steps in the MAAS UI:
-
Enlist and commission the host: Do this as you normally would.
-
Initiate deployment: Select the host and click
Deploy
. -
Choose OS and release: Opt for
Ubuntu
andUbuntu 22.04 LTS "Jammy Jellyfish"
. -
Configure cloud-init: Select
Cloud-init user-data
and use the following template. ReplaceYOUR_TOKEN
with your valid token.#cloud-config package_update: true package_upgrade: true runcmd: - pro attach <ubuntu_pro_token> - yes | pro enable realtime-kernel
-
Start deployment: Click
Start deployment for machine
.
Verifying deployment
After deployment, execute these commands on the host to confirm RT kernel activation:
-
Check Pro status
sudo pro status
You should see
realtime-kernel
as enabled. -
Confirm kernel version
uname -a
Your machine should now be up and running with an RT kernel.