This document covers frequently asked questions around support, migration andlicenses when running Ubuntu Pro on Compute Engine.

General FAQs

This section answers general questions about Ubuntu Pro on Compute Engine.

What is Ubuntu Pro on Compute Engine?

Ubuntu Pro is a version of Ubuntu offered by Canonical for publicclouds, focused on enterprise and production use. It is based onUbuntu components but comes with a set of additional services that areactivated out of the box. Ubuntu Pro also providesExtended Security Maintenance (ESM).

Ubuntu Pro on Compute Engine images are optimized to run on Google Cloud.For more information seeUbuntu Pro for Google Cloud.

What is Ubuntu Advantage?

Ubuntu Advantage is Canonical's service package for Ubuntu. It offers tiered levels ofsupport for desktop, server and cloud deployments.

Subscriptions available are as follows:

• Ubuntu Advantage Essential - no phone or ticket support available
• Ubuntu Advantage Standard - 24/5 phone and ticket support available
• Ubuntu Advantage Advanced - 24/7 phone and ticket support available

Do I need to get Ubuntu Advantage for support?

If you need 24/5 or 24/7 phone and ticket support, you should subscribeto Ubuntu Advantage Standard or Advanced. To subscribe, see theUbuntu Advantage support documentation.

What versions of Ubuntu Pro are available on Compute Engine?

For a full list of the Ubuntu Pro versions that are available on Compute Engine, seeUbuntu Pro operating system details.

How are the public Ubuntu Pro images made available on Compute Engine?

Canonical, in partnership with Google, builds the Ubuntu Pro images thatare available on Compute Engine.

For more information about image updates, see theUbuntu Prosection on the operating system details page.

For detailed information about support phases, seeUbuntu Lifecycle and Release Cadence.

For more information about the image lifecycle on Compute Engine, seeOperating system lifecycle and support policy.

How does billing work for Ubuntu Pro on Compute Engine?

There are two cost components for Ubuntu Pro images running on Compute Engine:

• Infrastructure costs for running your Ubuntu Pro VMs in Compute Engine.For more information, seeVM instances pricing.

• Licensing costs for Ubuntu Pro. The following licensing option is available:

  • Pay as you go model (PAYG) in Compute Engine. You payGoogle directly for this option.

  For information about licensing cost, see theUbuntu Prosection in the premium images pricing documentation.

Are there any additional cost optimizations available for running Ubuntu Pro on Compute Engine?

In addition to the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) license model that lets youpay for only what you use, your infrastructure costs can be further reducedby taking advantage ofcommitted use discounts.

Machine type recommendationsalso reduce your costs by helping you optimize resource usage.

You can also use thepricing calculator to estimate yourcosts of running VMs on Compute Engine.

Do your prices include tax?

No, the prices listed are exclusive of applicable taxes and duties,including applicable VAT and applicable sales tax.

Can I create Ubuntu Pro images in my Google Cloud Free Trial account?

Yes, you can create Ubuntu Pro VMs in Compute Engine on yourFree Trial Cloud Billing account.

You will incur charges for any Cloud Marketplace products and premiumoperating system licenses you use, even if your Compute Engine use iscovered by Always Free. For more information, seeGoogle Cloud Marketplace products and Premium OS licenses.

Support FAQs

This section answers questions about the support that you get for Ubuntu Proon Compute Engine.

How is support offered for pay-as-you-go (PAYG) Ubuntu Pro licenses on Compute Engine?

Google provides support for Google-specific configuration and for theGoogle platform that the Ubuntu Pro images run on. To leverage thisinfrastructure support, Google Cloud offers different support packages tomeet different needs, such as 24/7 coverage, phone support, and access to atechnical support manager. For more information, seeGoogle Cloud Support.

However, for support on the Ubuntu Pro images themselves, you need tocontact Canonical for support. You can do this using aprivate offer,by launching an Ubuntu Pro instance that includes support under the UbuntuAdvantage services but on a metered basis, or using an Ubuntu Advantage annualsubscription.

What kind of support does Canonical offer today for Ubuntu Pro?

To learn more about Canonical's support for Ubuntu Pro images, seetheUbuntu support page.

How can I be notified when updates are available for Ubuntu Pro?

To be notified when updates are made available by Canonical,subscribe toUbuntu security notices.

All Ubuntu Pro VMs running on Compute Engine receive updates shortlyafter these updates are made available from Canonical. Updates can beinstalled using the standard Ubuntu Pro packaging tools.

These updates are made available to the Ubuntu Pro images that areprovided by Compute Engine as outlined in theOperating system lifecycle and support policy.

Are there any restrictions on the machine types supported for Ubuntu Pro on Compute Engine?

Ubuntu Pro is supported by all machine types in all regions. For moreinformation about machine types, seeMachine types.

In addition to the different machine configurations, Ubuntu Pro can alsobe run on multi-tenant nodes orSole-tenant nodes.

Migration FAQs

This section answers questions about migrating to Compute Engine with anUbuntu Pro image.

Can I migrate my Ubuntu LTS VM to Ubuntu Pro?

Yes, you can migrate existing Ubuntu LTS VMs to Ubuntu Pro. For more information,seeUpgrade from Ubuntu to Ubuntu Pro.

How do I get started with a Ubuntu Pro VM on Compute Engine?

To create a new Ubuntu Pro VM instance on Google Compute Engine, see theQuickstart using a Linux VMguide. When creating the VM, on the public images tab, choose a Ubuntu Proversion.

To migrate an instance running Ubuntu Pro on-premise or on other cloudsto Google Cloud, seeChoose a migration path.

I plan to migrate Ubuntu Pro instances from AWS or Azure to Compute Engine. What is the recommended toolset or method to do so?

You can add VM instances, custom images, or disks that are availablein an existing environment, such as on-premise or on other cloud providers,to Compute Engine.

To migrate an instance running Ubuntu Pro on-premise or on other clouds toGoogle Cloud, seeChoose a migration path.

What's next

• Learn more about theoperating system imagesthat Compute Engine provides.