For those wondering about the OpenZFS root file-system support for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, it's in-place with the Ubuntu desktop installer. Not only is it still there but now there's also the ability to easily setup Ubuntu atop an OpenZFS encrypted root file-system.

Last year when [1]Ubuntu 23.04 shipped with its new desktop installer it lacked the OpenZFS root file-system support that had been present in earlier releases of Ubuntu Linux. With Ubuntu 23.10 the modern installer [2]added back the experimental root ZFS file-system support for new Ubuntu Linux installations.

[3]

With Ubuntu 24.04 LTS releasing later this month, not only is the OpenZFS root file-system (experimental) option still there, but they've also added an option to easily setup an encrypted OpenZFS file-system configuration -- similar to the existing EXT4 LVM with encryption option that's long been offered on Ubuntu Linux.

[4]

In March was [5]the merge adding the encrypted ZFS option to the Ubuntu desktop installer.

[6]

So with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is the ability to continue with a standard EXT4 file-system install, an encrypted file-system using LVM, or using OpenZFS with/without encryption. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS also has the ability to enjoy hardware-backed full-disk encryption with TPM as another new experimental option. Or, of course, the Ubuntu desktop installer continues supporting manual (custom) partitioning as well.

[7]

Aside from the OpenZFS encrypted install, the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS desktop installer also [8]adds new accessibility features and other refinements with this being the first Long-Term Support release with its modern desktop installer.



[1] https://www.phoronix.com/news/Ubuntu-23.04-No-OpenZFS

[2] https://www.phoronix.com/news/Ubuntu-23.10-ZFS-Install

[3] https://www.phoronix.com/image-viewer.php?id=2024&image=ubuntu_zfs_1_lrg

[4] https://www.phoronix.com/image-viewer.php?id=2024&image=ubuntu_zfs_2_lrg

[5] https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-desktop-provision/commit/b5dce80d3a9660fa4da6375705cc2a064ae652e9

[6] https://www.phoronix.com/image-viewer.php?id=2024&image=ubuntu_zfs_3_lrg

[7] https://www.phoronix.com/image-viewer.php?id=2024&image=ubuntu_zfs_4_lrg

[8] https://www.phoronix.com/news/Ubuntu-24.04-Installer-Access