Snapd 2.68.3 Release Update

snapd
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Dear Snapd Community,

We are pleased to inform you that we have started the release process for snapd release 2.68.3. This version is available in the candidate channel for you to test.

Highlights

  • FDE: Add support for a new and more extensible key format and passphrases for encrypted partitions can now be specified during installation
  • Components: Support online/offline remodeling and the creation of new recovery systems for models that contain components, on Ubuntu Core as well as Hybrid systems. Components are useful for distributing optional resources for a snap, such as debug symbols alongside snap binaries, and kernel modules alongside a kernel snap.
  • Kernel Components: Make kernel components and modules available in early boot
  • Interfaces: Added auditd-support interface that allows a snap to ship auditd as part of a snap and checkbox-support interface that allows unrestricted access to devices when testing with checkbox

Notable updates

  • Fix issue preventing hybrid systems from being seeded on first boot
  • Modify AppArmor template to allow using setpriv to run (LP: #20729871)
  • Disable udev backend when inside a container (LP: #1712808
  • Remove auto-import udev rules not required by deb package to avoid unwanted syslog errors (LP: #1966203)
  • Fix progress reporting when stdout is on a tty, but stdin is not (LP: #1886414)

Experimental Features

  • Removed stale robust-mount-namespace-updates experimental flag
  • Removed rejected snapd-snap experimental feature and its feature flag

Impact on Ubuntu Core using Full Disk Encryption

If you are planning to test or use this snapd release and you are using full disk encryption (with both hooks and TPM), some updates to your kernel snap are needed:

  • If you maintain your own kernel snap, you will need to include the new snap-bootstrap.
  • If you are using a kernel snap maintained by Canonical, all our kernel snaps will be updated to the new version of snap-bootstrap in due course.

Until all kernel snaps are updated, snapd from latest/edge cannot be used for installation or remodeling if you are using FDE. If you have not updated the kernel snap, do not report bugs you encountered when:

  • Remodeling with a snapd from latest/edge, then doing factory reset.
  • Installing fresh images with snapd from latest/edge

However, please do report bugs if you find issues when:

  • You updated to snapd to the latest/edge.
  • You reverted from a snapd coming from latest/edge.

For the release plan and complete list of changes, please refer to the full release notes.

Feel free to provide your test feedback here or directly in Launchpad. To help fast track investigations please provide (1) details about the system, (2) snapd version(s) and (3) steps to reproduce the issue.

The next planned release is 2.69 with the release process starting on 28 March, and in the best case scenario becoming available around 25 April.

We greatly appreciate your contributions and support!