Ubuntu 26.04 Minimal AMI with 50% smaller image and 40% faster boot. Optimized for DevOps teams running automated deployments at scale - fewer packages, reduced attack surface, and full Ubuntu archive access via apt-get.
Minimal Ubuntu Server image is maintained by Cloud Infrastructure Services. A production-ready minimal Ubuntu Server image optimized for DevOps engineers, SREs, and platform teams running automated deployments at scale on Amazon EC2. This AMI delivers a 50% smaller footprint and 40% faster boot time compared to the standard Ubuntu Server image, making it ideal for auto-scaling fleets, CI/CD golden image pipelines, and ephemeral compute workloads.
Why Choose This AMI Over a Standard Ubuntu Image?
Cloud Infrastructure Services maintains this image with AWS-specific optimizations and ongoing security maintenance. The reduced default package set means fewer CVEs to patch, lower bandwidth consumption for updates, and a smaller attack surface from day one.
Key Benefits
50% smaller image size - Faster AMI copy operations across regions and reduced Amazon EBS storage costs
40% faster boot - Critical for auto-scaling groups that need instances ready in seconds during traffic spikes
Reduced attack surface - Fewer installed packages mean fewer security vulnerabilities and less frequent patching
Full Ubuntu archive access - Install any package via apt-get or snap as needed
Optimized kernel - Tuned for cloud compute substrates with support for ENA networking and NVMe storage
AWS Integration
This AMI works seamlessly with core AWS services:
Amazon EC2 - Launch on any HVM-compatible instance family
AWS Systems Manager - Install the SSM Agent for remote management without SSH
Amazon CloudWatch - Deploy the CloudWatch Agent for metrics and log collection
AWS CloudFormation - Use as a base image in infrastructure-as-code templates
Amazon EBS - Optimized for gp3 and io2 volumes
Use Case: Auto-Scaling Web Tier
Teams running auto-scaling web-tier fleets that spin up 200+ instances during traffic spikes benefit from the faster boot time and smaller image size. New instances join the load balancer faster, reducing response-time SLA risk during demand surges. The minimal package set also means your golden image pipeline produces consistent, auditable artifacts nightly.
Use Case: CI/CD Base Image
Platform teams building immutable AMIs in CI/CD pipelines use this minimal image as the foundation. Start with a clean, small base, layer only what your application needs, and produce secure, reproducible deployments every time.
Getting Started
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Launch an Amazon EC2 instance from this AMI using your preferred instance type
Connect via SSH using your key pair
Run apt-get update and install only the packages your workload requires
Optionally run the 'unminimize' command to convert to a full standard Ubuntu Server environment for interactive debugging
Technical Details
Base OS: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Minimal
Architecture: x86_64 (HVM)
Virtualization: Hardware Virtual Machine
Network: ENA enhanced networking supported
Storage: NVMe driver included
Security
The reduced default package set minimizes your CVE exposure window. Fewer packages installed means fewer components requiring security updates over time. The image receives ongoing maintenance from Cloud Infrastructure Services with patches published as upstream Ubuntu security advisories are released.
Disclaimer: Ubuntu is a registered trademark owned by Canonical. This Ubuntu release is maintained by Cloud Infrastructure Services.
Highlights
50% smaller image, 40% faster boot: This minimal Ubuntu AMI is half the size of the standard Ubuntu Server image and boots 40% faster. Faster boot times are critical for auto-scaling fleets where new instances must join load balancers in seconds during traffic spikes. The smaller footprint also reduces EBS storage costs and speeds up AMI copy operations across regions.
Reduced attack surface with fewer security updates: The minimal package set eliminates unnecessary components, reducing your CVE exposure window and the frequency of required patches. Spend less time on server maintenance and more time on your application. Full access to the Ubuntu archive via apt-get and snap means you install only what your workload needs - nothing more.
Automation-ready with cloud-native integration: Designed as a base image for CI/CD pipelines producing immutable AMIs and auto-scaling fleet deployments. ENA enhanced networking and NVMe storage drivers are included for optimal performance. Compatible with EC2, Systems Manager, CloudWatch, and CloudFormation for teams using AWS-native tooling.
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Pricing is based on actual usage, with charges varying according to how much you consume. Subscriptions have no end date and may be canceled any time.
Additional AWS infrastructure costs may apply. Use the AWS Pricing Calculator to estimate your infrastructure costs.
If you are an AWS Free Tier customer with a free plan, you are eligible to subscribe to this offer. You can use free credits to cover the cost of eligible AWS infrastructure. See AWS Free Tier for more details. If you created an AWS account before July 15th, 2025, and qualify for the Legacy AWS Free Tier, Amazon EC2 charges for Micro instances are free for up to 750 hours per month. See Legacy AWS Free Tier for more details.
You pay by the hour for the Ubuntu Server 26.04 Minimal operating system, billed per running instance. Pricing is not fixed; it varies by the AWS EC2 instance type you select. Each dimension maps to a specific instance size, from small general-purpose types like t2.nano and t3.micro up to memory-optimized, compute-optimized, GPU, storage, and bare-metal types like x1e.32xlarge, p4d.24xlarge, and u-24tb1.metal. Larger or specialized instances carry different hourly rates. The software runs the same across all types; your cost scales with the compute capacity you choose.
Top-of-mind questions for buyers
What does one hourly unit map to for this operating system license?
One unit is one running AWS EC2 instance of the type you select, billed per hour. The instance type sets the CPU, memory, and storage you receive. The software charge applies on top of the AWS infrastructure charge for that instance, both metered by the hour.
Am I charged for the software when an instance is stopped or powered off?
The hourly software charge applies only while an instance runs. A stopped or powered-off instance does not accrue software charges. Underlying AWS storage fees for the attached volume may still apply, but the software license meters running time only.
How does my hourly cost change if I move to a larger instance type?
The software runs the same across every instance type. Your hourly rate changes with the type you select, since general-purpose, compute, memory, GPU, storage, and bare-metal families each carry different rates. Switching types requires launching or resizing an instance; the new rate applies once it runs.
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An AMI is a virtual image that provides the information required to launch an instance. Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) instances are virtual servers on which you can run your applications and workloads, offering varying combinations of CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources. You can launch as many instances from as many different AMIs as you need.
Version release notes
Latest OS updates available, simply run 'sudo apt-get update' to install latest OS package updates.
Cloud Infrastructure Services provides email-based technical support for this Ubuntu 26.04 Minimal AMI. Support covers installation guidance, configuration assistance, troubleshooting, and general usage questions.
Converting minimal to standard server using the unminimize command
General server configuration questions
Guidance on AWS service integration (EC2, Systems Manager, CloudWatch)
Disclaimer: Ubuntu is a registered trademark owned by Canonical. This Ubuntu release is maintained by Cloud Infrastructure Services.
AWS infrastructure support
AWS Support is a one-on-one, fast-response support channel that is staffed 24x7x365 with experienced and technical support engineers. The service helps customers of all sizes and technical abilities to successfully utilize the products and features provided by Amazon Web Services.
The official Ubuntu with a smaller footprint, enhanced security coverage, and automated hardening and compliance measures. Get up to 15 years of security maintenance, including coverage for thousands of packages beyond the core operating system.
Ubuntu Pro provides enhanced security coverage and automated hardening and compliance features. This subscription delivers up to 15 years of security maintenance for thousands of packages beyond the core operating system.
The official Ubuntu with a smaller footprint, enhanced security coverage, and automated hardening and compliance measures. Get up to 15 years of security maintenance, including coverage for thousands of packages beyond the core operating system.
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