Canonical Releases Multipass 1.17 With New Features
The latest software update expands Linux image support and introduces availability zones for local cloud simulation.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Data Centers
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Canonical has released Multipass 1.17, introducing built-in support for Debian and Fedora images. The update also adds availability zones, allowing developers to simulate infrastructure failures on their local machines.
Why it matters
The new availability zone feature provides developers with a reliable way to test infrastructure resilience. Additionally, the inclusion of a new HCS driver for Windows Home expands the software's accessibility to a broader user base.
Multipass 1.17 introduces support for IBM POWER and IBM Z systems alongside a new default HCS driver for Windows Home. The software also features a preview Apple Virtualization driver for macOS and has officially dropped support for LXD and libvirt drivers.
The players
Canonical
Canonical is the company behind the Ubuntu operating system and various open-source cloud and virtualization tools.
The details
Users can now place virtual machines into specific zones using the multipass launch --zone command, while existing instances migrate to zone 1 upon upgrading. The GUI has been updated to include a redesigned image catalog, streamlining the management of Linux virtual machines.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: Canonical released Multipass 1.17.
The Tech Race
The introduction of availability zones in Multipass positions Canonical to better compete with cloud-native development tools by bringing enterprise-level simulation to the desktop. This shift reflects a broader trend of bridging the gap between local development workflows and complex, distributed cloud architectures.
Windows Home users can now utilize Multipass for Linux virtualization thanks to the new HCS driver. Developers will find their workflow improved by the updated GUI and the ability to test software against infrastructure failures in a simulated environment.
The takeaway
Developers should consider utilizing the new availability zones to proactively test application behavior during infrastructure outages. Users upgrading to 1.17 should be aware that support for legacy LXD and libvirt drivers has been discontinued.
What happens next
A 1.17.1 milestone is currently open on the project GitHub, which will likely address bugs or provide further refinements.
Further reading
For more information on virtual infrastructure tools, visit the Data Centers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WebProNews.
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