--- title: An intro to real-time Linux with Ubuntu description: Real-time Linux with Ubuntu will power the next generation of industrial, robotics, and telco innovations. url: https://canonical.com/blog/real-time-linux-qa?format=md --- 1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog) 2. Article --- [Edoardo Barbieri](https://canonical.com/blog/author/edoardo-barbieri "More about Edoardo Barbieri") 8 June 2022 # An intro to real-time Linux with Ubuntu [Embedded](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/embedded) [Industrial](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/industrial) [IoT](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/iot) [real-time Linux](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/real-time-linux) [robotics](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/robotics) --- Share the article [Read the whitepaper now](https://ubuntu.com/engage/cto-guide-real-time-kernel) A real-time system responds to events within a specified deadline. If the timing constraints of the system are unmet, failure has occurred. In the kernel context, real-time denotes a deterministic response to an external event, aiming to minimize the response time guarantee. ## Real-time Beta now available in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Last April, [Canonical announced real-time Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Beta](https://ubuntu.com/blog/ubuntu-22-04-lts-released) for x86 and Arm64 architectures. Based on v5.15 of the Linux kernel, [Real-time Ubuntu](https://ubuntu.com/real-time) integrates [PREEMPT\_RT](https://wiki.linuxfoundation.org/realtime/preempt_rt_versions) to power the next generation of industrial, robotics, IoT and telco innovations by providing a deterministic response time to their extreme low-latency requirements. [Canonical Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is released](https://ubuntu.com/blog/ubuntu-22-04-lts-released) [Real-time Ubuntu](https://ubuntu.com/real-time) is available for free for personal use via [Ubuntu Advantage](https://ubuntu.com/advantage), the most comprehensive Linux enterprise subscription, covering all aspects of open infrastructure. Anyone can enable the real-time kernel [per the instructions](https://ubuntu.com/blog/real-time-ubuntu-released), and we encourage [Real-time Ubuntu](https://ubuntu.com/real-time) users to help us by [reporting bugs](https://launchpad.net/ubuntu-realtime). #### Do you want to run real-time Ubuntu Linux in production? [Get in touch](https://ubuntu.com/kernel/real-time/contact-us) ## Watch our webinar If you want to delve deeper into this topic, we recently hosted a webinar covering: * What real-time is and common misconceptions * Market applications * Linux kernel preemption * Preemption modes available in mainline * PREEMPT\_RT * Real-time Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Beta Thanks to everyone who attended, asked questions and provided feedback throughout the discussion! For those who couldn’t make it, [the webinar is now available on-demand](https://ubuntu.com/engage/an-introduction-to-real-time-linux-part-i). [Watch our webinar: An Introduction to real-time Linux](https://ubuntu.com/engage/an-introduction-to-real-time-linux-part-i) Below is a recap of the questions asked during the webinar. ## [Q&A] An Introduction to real-time Linux **Q1)** What is inside real-time Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Beta? **A1)** Real-time Ubuntu is a [Jammy Jellyfish](https://releases.ubuntu.com/22.04/) kernel with the [upstream real-time patches](https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/projects/rt/5.15/) applied. **Q2)** When do you expect to be out of Beta? **A2)** We are targeting April 2023 for the GA of real-time Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. Extensive testing will help us bring the real-time kernel to production earlier. Please support the Ubuntu community by [reporting any bugs you may encounter](https://launchpad.net/ubuntu-realtime)*.* **Q3)** How will the Beta and the GA release differ? **A3)** The GA release will run the latest stable kernel available, and it will include the upstream real-time patches matching up with the version. **Q4)** What are the main advantages of using the Ubuntu real-time kernel rather than patching a standard kernel? **A4)** The main advantage is the [enterprise-grade support](https://ubuntu.com/legal/ubuntu-advantage-service-description) you will receive from Canonical. **Q5)** Do you have a recommended hardware configuration for testing real-time Ubuntu? **A5)** A feature of the real-time kernel in Linux is that it allows for freedom of hardware. We are testing the Beta release on ARM, AMD and Intel hardware and don’t recommend a particular configuration. **Q6)** Does real-time Ubuntu work with a 32-bit architecture? **A6)** No, we currently focus only on 64 bits. **Q7)** Are NVIDIA drivers supported under the Ubuntu real-time kernel? **A7)** The Beta release does not support NVIDIA drivers, but that may change in the future. **Q8)** Do you plan on supporting this [full task isolation patchset](https://lwn.net/Articles/816298/)? **A8)** We will consider including the patch once it lands in the mainline. **Q9.1)** Do you plan on making the upcoming Ubuntu releases have a hybrid of real-time queues and standard Linux kernel queues? **Q9.2)** Will Ubuntu support a kernel with both FIPS 140-2 and real-time enabled?  **Q9.3)** Is there a plan to move toward certification for safety-critical applications such as DO-178 for aviation? **A9)** Those are not currently in the plans, but that could change in the future. **Q10)** Why would someone pick PREEMPT\_RT over a hard real-time solution like Xenomai? **A10)** Hard-real-time solutions are expensive and require specific hardware. **Q11)** When do you expect PREEMPT\_RT to be fully upstreamed? **A11)** This is not within Canonical’s control. [PREEMPT\_RT](https://wiki.linuxfoundation.org/realtime/start), the de-facto Linux real-time implementation, is hosted by the Linux Foundation and is slowly being mainlined. Whereas a relevant portion of the locking is in mainline, the [upstream patch set](https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/projects/rt/) still provides much code. **Q12)** How does PREEMPT\_RT reduce scheduling and interrupt latency? **A12)** PREEMPT\_RT uses different [locking mechanisms](https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/v5.8/locking/locktypes.html) (e.g. preemptable spin locks) and a scheduler other than [CFS](https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/scheduler/sched-design-CFS.html). When enabling PREEMPT\_RT, the kernel uses the [real-time scheduling class](https://lwn.net/Articles/743740/), which has a higher priority over the CFS scheduler and provides the first-in-first-out and round-robin scheduling policies. **Q13)** What is the maximum latency guaranteed by PREEMPT\_RT? **A13)** PREEMPT\_RT does not currently guarantee any maximum latency. **Q14)** What is the *CPUfreq* governor used in PREEMPT\_RT? **A14)** The CPU governor is currently set to CONFIG\_CPU\_FREQ\_DEFAULT\_GOV\_ONDEMAND. The *cpufrequtils* package enables switching to the performance governor with: *cpufreq-set -g performance* ## Join the free real-time Linux beta programme Join our [free beta programme](https://ubuntu.com/embedded#beta-signup) today. We will keep you up-to-date with the latest news and efforts towards GA, and we will notify you first once the kernel is production-ready. By signing up, you may have the opportunity to establish an open communication channel with our team to provide feedback and share suggestions. ## Further reading [How real-time Linux accelerates industrial transformation](https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8712572348523284318?source=Canonical) [Embedded Linux: Yocto or Ubuntu Core?](https://ubuntu.com/engage/embedded-linux-yocto-ubuntu-core-whitepaper) [Technical deep-dive into a real-time kernel](https://ubuntu.com/blog/real-time-kernel-technical) ## Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest Canonical news and updates in your inbox. Work email: \*I agree to receive information about Canonical's products and services. By submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical's Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/dataprivacy). 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