[Bug 2143146] Re: [Ubuntu 26.04] New HWE stack for Ubuntu virtualization components

[Launchpad Bug Tracker]

This bug was fixed in the package seabios - 1.17.0-1ubuntu1

---------------
seabios (1.17.0-1ubuntu1) resolute; urgency=medium

  * d/control : add dependencies to -hwe components (LP: #2143146)

 -- Hector Cao <hector.cao at canonical.com>  Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:33:02
+0100

** Changed in: seabios (Ubuntu)
       Status: Triaged => Fix Released

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Foundations Bugs, which is subscribed to edk2 in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2143146

Title:
  [Ubuntu 26.04] New HWE stack for Ubuntu virtualization components

Status in Ubuntu:
  Triaged
Status in edk2 package in Ubuntu:
  Fix Released
Status in libvirt package in Ubuntu:
  Fix Released
Status in qemu package in Ubuntu:
  Fix Released
Status in seabios package in Ubuntu:
  Fix Released

Bug description:
  Dear Release Team,

  We request approval for a Feature Freeze Exception (FFE) to introduce
  a new Hardware Enablement (HWE) userspace virtualization stack for
  Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, consisting of -hwe-suffixed packages for the core
  virtualization components:

  - qemu
  - libvirt
  - edk2
  - seabios)

  [Rationale]

  Modern hardware-assisted virtualization and confidential computing
  technologies evolve at a pace closely tied to CPU and platform
  innovation, significantly faster than the Ubuntu LTS release cadence.
  At the same time, production virtualization deployments overwhelmingly
  rely on Ubuntu LTS releases, creating a gap between available hardware
  capabilities and the software stack provided by a stable LTS.

  This FFE proposes a rolling userspace HWE virtualization stack,
  conceptually aligned with the existing kernel HWE model. Over the
  lifetime of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, the -hwe virtualization stack would be
  updated—via a dedicated SRU exception—to track the versions shipped in
  subsequent Ubuntu releases. This allows LTS users to access new
  virtualization and confidential-computing features without upgrading
  to a non-LTS release.

  This approach enables:

  - Ongoing support for new virtualization features throughout the LTS
  lifecycle

  - Enablement of new hardware and CPU capabilities as they become
  available

  - Timely delivery of critical virtualization functionality without
  waiting for the next LTS

  - Consistent platform enablement by aligning userspace virtualization
  with the kernel HWE strategy

  The -base and -hwe stacks will coexist but be mutually exclusive at
  install time, allowing users to explicitly choose between maximum
  stability (base) and newer feature enablement (hwe).

  [Scope of Changes]

  The following new source packages will be introduced:

  qemu-hwe (from qemu)

  libvirt-hwe (from libvirt)

  edk2-hwe (from edk2)

  seabios-hwe (from seabios)

  At Ubuntu 26.04 release time, the -hwe packages will be functionally
  identical to the -base packages. Divergence will occur only after the
  Ubuntu 26.10 release, at which point the -hwe stack will begin
  tracking newer upstream versions via an approved SRU exception
  process.

  [Content]

  PPA: https://launchpad.net/~hectorcao/+archive/ubuntu/ubuntu-hwe-virt

  Code branches (to be created):
  - qemu-hwe: https://code.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-virt/ubuntu/+source/qemu-hwe
  - libvirt-hwe: https://code.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-virt/ubuntu/+source/libvirt-hwe
  - edk2-hwe: https://code.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-virt/ubuntu/+source/edk2-hwe
  - seabios-hwe: https://code.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-virt/ubuntu/+source/seabios-hwe

  Autopkgtest results available at the PPA.

  [Testing Performed]

  Build testing:
  - All packages successfully built on amd64, arm64, armhf, ppc64el, s390x, riscv64
  - Build logs available in PPA
  - No new build warnings or errors introduced

  Testing of the switch between stacks:
  - TBD

  Upgrade testing:
  - Upgrade from qemu-base to qemu-hwe (removing base, installing hwe): TODO
  - Downgrade from qemu-hwe to qemu-base: TODO
  - Verified existing VM configurations remain functional after stack switch (TODO)

  [Regression Potential]

  The proposed change is fully opt-in, and therefore poses low risk to
  existing users who remain on the -base stack. However, the
  introduction of a parallel virtualization stack does increase
  maintenance and testing complexity.

  Potential regression risks include:

   - Package conflicts or dependency issues in the -hwe stack

   - Incompatibilities with older components outside the -hwe scope

   - Configuration handling issues when switching between stacks,
  including loss of state or inability to revert cleanly

   - Regressions introduced by future SRU updates as the -hwe stack
  tracks newer releases

  These risks are mitigated by:

   - Explicit user opt-in

   - Mutual exclusivity between -base and -hwe packages

   - A dedicated SRU exception with enhanced review and testing
  requirements

  [Seeded Packages]

  None is auto-installed, but some might be on the repo for offline
  install.

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/2143146/+subscriptions