Advantech, Canonical Boost Security and Edge Features in UNO Embedded Automation Platform with Pre-Loaded Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core 20

With a competitive price-performance, Advantech’s industry-proven UNO platform improves edge features and enhances security with Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core 20  certification.

 Advantech, leading provider of industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and automation technology, has announced its industry-proven UNO Embedded Automation Computer platform now has enhanced security and edge features with the pre-installation of Canonical’s Ubuntu Operating System (OS). Advantech’s UNO-2271G-V2 Edge IoT gateway is pre-loaded and certified for Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Core 20 to streamline time-to-market for users, while also offering top-of-the-line security.

A growing Advantech and Canonical collaboration means deployment-ready IoT devices are more market accessible and ensure developers have the best out-of-the-box Ubuntu experience. The rapid growth of IoT technologies comes with massive amounts of data from numerous systems and devices. This brings challenges in collection, storage, latency, and resiliency when relying only on the cloud.

Data processing shifts

Data processing is gradually shifting from data centers to the network edge, allowing end-users to implement applications quickly while maximizing benefits in operation optimization and business transformation. With the right combination of OS and edge hardware, Canonical and Advantech are enabling secure, reliable, and cost-effective edge compute solutions for customers.

UNO edge gateways

Advantech’s UNO edge gateways provide reliable hardware in ruggedized form factors that deliver optimal efficiency and flexibility, ideal for supporting edge infrastructure and devices. UNO gateways feature a modular design, and various I/O and flexible mount options making them perfect for a wide-range of industries.

The UNO-2271G-V2 Edge gateway boasts an Intel Elkhart Lake Series processor (Intel Atom® x6000E CPU), which builds on new levels of CPU and graphics performances with integrated IoT features, real-time performance, manageability, security, and functional safety—all at a cost-effective price point. The Elkhart Lake processor addresses current industry needs for high computing performance and high graphic performance, especially for applications at the edge, such as real-time or time-deterministic applications. 

“Advantech’s UNO platform is already known industry-wide as a powerful, yet flexible, solution helping facilitate digitization,” said Jeff Brown, VP of Sales at Advantech Industrial IoT Group. “Pre-loading Canonical’s Ubuntu OS options on the UNO-2271G-V2 Edge gateway takes the device to the next level—an UNO platform with security on steroids. Add in the UNO’s competitive price performance with Intel’s high-performance Elkhart Lake CPU and it’s a best-in-class, cost-effective solution for customers.” 

Ubuntu for embedded Linux delivers the latest in secure, open source, easy-to-use software for general purpose computing with the following benefits: out-of-the-box security at scale, certified compliance, and easy updates for streamlined maintenance and functions. Ubuntu gives users access to an operating system designed specifically for the IoT with a private app store, vast developer community, and reliable automatic updates. 

Ubuntu Core 20 was created for IoT-native embedded systems and is an optimized version of Ubuntu desktop. Ubuntu Core 20 provides secure boot, full disk encryption, secure device recovery, and over-the-air, transactional software updates through a cloud-based CI/CD (Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment) service. This lowers upgrade risks and reduces the need for on-site repair. Ubuntu Core is the smallest, safest Ubuntu on devices and the cloud.

“Bringing together the UNO platform with the power-performance of Intel’s Elkhart Lake platform with Intel Atom® x6000E processors, and the security features of Ubuntu Core, will address the demands of our enterprise IoT customers,” said Cindy Goldberg, Vice President of Silicon Alliances at Canonical. “Furthermore, by enabling this platform up-front, Advantech customers will benefit from fast time-to-market and world class, long-term support.” 

An additional Advantech UNO solution, the UNO-420 Data Gateway, also recently received Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and Ubuntu Core 20 certification. UNO-420 is a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) data sensing gateway with an Intel Atom™ E3815 processor, characterized by its high compatibility with diverse data acquisition devices and PoE, permitting local data processing and cloud connectivity.

Working with Advantech, Canonical provides continuous regression testing for certified Advantech hardware throughout the Ubuntu release lifecycle. This supports security updates for up to 10 years with guaranteed backward compatibility. Similarly, Advantech also provides after-sales service for IoT devices and the Ubuntu OS backed by Canonical.

Building Automation successes

Used in numerous global industry applications, the UNO-2271G-V2 Edge gateway has seen particular success in the smart building space, such as in the KMC Controls IoT platform, KMC Commander. KMC Commander collects data from building systems and sends it to the cloud where it is tracked, analyzed, and able to trigger systems and devices securely, from anywhere.

For building management systems, the UNO-2271G-V2 platform helps implement real-time monitoring and data collection. Buildings are becoming smarter and more efficient through device connections, controls, and sensors to IT networks and the IoT. With rising energy costs and associated environmental impacts, along with increased data security and surveillance needs, there is growing demand for cost-effective, easy-to-deploy building management solutions.

“We’ve had incredible success with Advantech’s UNO platform while deploying our IoT and automation solution, KMC Commander,” said Tim Vogel, Director of IoT at KMC Controls, which is located in New Paris, Ind. 

“Anytime we discuss the convergence of IT and OT, IT always has concerns (and rightfully so). When we lay out the use of Advantech and Ubuntu Core, along with the security practices prioritized in our system, then they get it. They appreciate it, and ultimately, they support it. This would be considerably more difficult without a partner like Advantech.” 

Product features

In addition to Ubuntu certification, UNO-2271G-V2 includes the following features:

• Intel® Elkhart Lake Celeron® Dual core N6210 / Pentium® Quad core N6415
• 4GB/8GB DDR4 onboard memory
• Compact, robust, fan-less, and cable-free system with high stability
• Operating temperature -20 ~ 60°C / -4 ~ 140°F for deployment in industrial environments
• Modular design offers optimized basic unit with 2 x GbE, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1 x HDMI 1.4
• Optional second stack for increasing functionality including PoE, COM, wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular LTE), or more than 20 additional I/O options via Advantech iDoor expansions
• Built-in TPM2.0 for hardware-based security
• Supports Windows 10, Ubuntu 20 Desktop and Server, and Ubuntu Core 20
• Certified with Azure IoT Edge and AWS IoT Greengrass for cloud-edge orchestration

Market demand for digitization is growing, but the difficulty of deployment and integration can be a barrier to realization. Certified, application-ready Advantech gateways based on Ubuntu 20 desktop and Ubuntu Core 20 enables users to create and deploy innovative, cost-effective edge computing solutions. Advantech and Canonical simplify the development workflow with this goal in mind. 

For more information on the UNO embedded automation computer platform, or specifics on the UNO-2271G-V2, contact your Advantech representative. To learn more about Ubuntu OS options, contact your Canonical representative, or visit https://ubuntu.com/internet-of-things.

About Advantech 

Founded in 1983, Advantech has the corporate vision to “Enable an Intelligent Planet.” The company is a  global leader in the fields of IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms. To embrace the trends of IoT,  big data, and artificial intelligence, Advantech promotes IoT hardware and software solutions with Edge  Intelligence to assist business partners and clients in connecting industrial chains. Advantech is also dedicated to working with domain-focused partners to co-create solutions that deliver advanced solutions in  Industrial IoT. Learn more about Advantech at https://www.advantech.com/.

About Canonical 

Canonical is the publisher of Ubuntu, the OS for most public cloud workloads as well as the emerging categories of smart gateways, self-driving cars, and advanced robots. Canonical provides enterprise security, support, and services to commercial users of Ubuntu. Established in 2004, Canonical is a privately held company.