Ubuntu Studio users are experiencing widespread failures when attempting in-place upgrades from 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS. The root cause appears to be a conflict arising from the optional switchability between PipeWire and PulseAudio sound servers in Ubuntu Studio 24.04. In this brief article, we will summarise the issue, potential solutions, and recommended actions.
Table of Contents
What is Ubuntu Studio?
Ubuntu Studio is a free and open-source operating system based on Ubuntu. It's the most popular operating system specifically designed for creative work like audio, graphics, video, photography, and publishing.
Ubuntu Studio comes with a variety of free multimedia applications and is configured for optimal performance in these creative fields. Ubuntu Studio is a community-driven project, developed by volunteers. It aims to be easy to install and use for both beginners and professionals.
The operating system's main goal is to be ready for multimedia work right after installation. It's particularly designed for the complex requirements of professional audio production, but it also functions as a comprehensive studio for various creative pursuits.
Ubuntu Studio 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS Upgrade Issue
Ubuntu Studio 24.04 LTS allows users to choose between PipeWire (the default) and the legacy PulseAudio/JACK setup. To facilitate this choice, PipeWire is a "soft" dependency, meaning it can be uninstalled without breaking core functionality. However, this flexibility confuses the ubuntu-release-upgrader tool during the upgrade process, leading to package conflicts and failed upgrades.
In a blog post, the Ubuntu Studio team wrote:
"Currently, we are working with the Ubuntu Foundations Team at Canonical on how to have
ubuntu-release-upgraderforce an installation of PipeWire for Ubuntu Studio without Ubuntu Studio requiring a hard dependency on PipeWire."
One specific manifestation of this issue is detailed in Launchpad bug report 2078639. Analysis by developer Julian Andres Klode suggests that the upgrade process attempts to remove plasma-desktop and ubuntustudio-desktop due to complex dependencies involving PulseAudio and PipeWire.
The Impact
A significant number of Ubuntu Studio users are unable to upgrade their systems directly. This creates frustration and potentially forces users to undertake more laborious workarounds like clean installations.
Potential Solutions
As of reporting this, there are a few possible solutions.
1. ubuntu-release-upgrader Quirk
Develop a quirk within the ubuntu-release-upgrader to force the installation of pipewire-audio specifically for Ubuntu Studio upgrades. This would preserve the user's option to switch back to PulseAudio later.
2. Hard Dependency on PipeWire
Make pipewire-audio a hard dependency for Ubuntu Studio, effectively eliminating the ability to revert to the classic PulseAudio/JACK setup. This ensures smooth upgrades but sacrifices user choice.
3. Disable Direct Upgrades
Remove the upgrade notification and officially declare that direct in-place upgrades from Ubuntu Studio 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS are not supported. This avoids immediate issues but necessitates alternative upgrade paths like fresh installations.
The Ubuntu Studio team doesn't want to do any of these things. They are hoping to find a better solution soon.
If you are trying to upgrade Ubuntu Studio, you might want to wait until this problem is fixed.
Current Status
The Ubuntu Studio team is actively working with the Ubuntu Foundations Team at Canonical to identify the optimal solution. The team's stated preference is to avoid solutions 2 and 3, hoping for a resolution through the ubuntu-release-upgrader quirk.
Recommendations
For Users:
- Do not attempt direct upgrades from Ubuntu Studio 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS at this time.
- Follow the progress of the aforementioned Launchpad bug reports and the Ubuntu Studio News page for updates.
- Consider clean installations of Ubuntu Studio 24.04 LTS if immediate use is required.
For Developers:
- Prioritise the development of the
ubuntu-release-upgraderquirk to ensure smooth upgrades while preserving user choice.
Conclusion
The Ubuntu Studio team acknowledges the severity of the Ubuntu Studio 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS upgrade issue and is actively seeking a resolution. Until then, users are advised to exercise caution and consider new installation.
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