More secure. More stable. Built for what’s next.
Now based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS—delivering stronger protection, improved reliability, and long-term confidence for your infrastructure.
Zentyal 8.1 is not about adding features.
It’s about strengthening the foundation your infrastructure depends on.
WHY THIS RELEASE MATTERS
Stronger Security
- Improved AppArmor enforcement
- Enhanced antivirus behavior
- Better system-level protections
Stronger Security
- Improved AppArmor enforcement
- Enhanced antivirus behavior
- Better system-level protections
Long-Term Confidence
- Built on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
- Future-ready platform
- Extended lifecycle support
WHAT ZENTYAL IS
Zentyal is an all-in-one Linux server platform combining:
- Active Directory compatibility
- Mail server
- Gateway & infrastructure
- Centralized management
WHO THIS IS FOR
- SMB IT teams
- Managed service providers
- Organizations replacing Windows Server
- Hybrid Windows/Linux environments
RECOMMENDED UPGRADE
If you are running Zentyal today, this is a recommended upgrade.
Upgrade your infrastructure today.
Zentyal Development Team today announced the availability of Zentyal Server Development Edition 8.1.
Zentyal Server 8.1 comes with the latest versions of all integrated software. This release focuses on improving overall performance, security hardening, and system stability, and includes a large number of internal improvements and bug fixes across the platform. The most important highlights include:
- Numerous bug fixes and reliability improvements across networking, mail, Samba, and core system components.
- Improved system security with expanded AppArmor protection across multiple services.
- Better dashboard and UI, including a new license widget and usability improvements.
- Improved network configuration reliability with better validation and cleanup of VLAN, bridge and bond configurations.
Zentyal Server provides an easy-to-use Linux alternative to Windows Server®. Thanks to the integration of Samba, Zentyal provides native compatibility with the Microsoft Active Directory® and allows transparent management of Windows® clients. It is used by companies and public administrations mainly as a domain and directory server and a file server. The graphical user inferface that Zentyal offers helps to make Linux server management easier for all and specially for new Linux users.
See the full changelog for all the details.
Download
You can download the Zentyal Server Development Edition 8.1
And the MD5 checksum
Upgrading
Information for upgrading from Zentyal 8.0 to Zentyal 8.1 is listed in the documentation.
Documentation
The official documentation for Zentyal 8.1: https://doc.zentyal.org/en/index.html.
Repositories
Here is the APT source entry for Zentyal 8.1:
deb http://packages.zentyal.org/zentyal 8.1 main extra
Public key is available at:
https://keys.zentyal.org/zentyal-8.1-packages-org.asc
Changelog
You can read the full changelog from 8.0 to 8.1 here.
Commercial Edition
The Zentyal Server Commercial Edition v. 8.1 will be published shortly.
About Zentyal
Zentyal Linux Server has been developed since 2004. Zentyal Server incorporates all the network services required in corporate environments, most importantly the first-ever native Microsoft Active Directory® implementation on Linux that is easy to use.
With Zentyal Server there is no need to use command line, but system administrators can manage all the network services via graphical user interface. Zentyal-based solutions allow companies to reduce and rationalize IT investments, improve the security and minimize system downtime.
Zentyal Server is widely used by companies independently of their size, activity or location, as well as by public administration or the education sector. The partnership agreements signed with IT support and service providers in more than 20 countries guarantee the distribution of Zentyal-based solutions to customers worldwide.
FAQs
Zentyal 8.1 is the latest version of the Zentyal Linux server platform, designed to simplify IT infrastructure for small and mid-sized organizations.
This release focuses on strengthening the core of the system—improving security, stability, and long-term reliability—rather than adding unnecessary complexity. It is built on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, ensuring extended support and a modern, secure foundation.
Zentyal continues to provide an all-in-one solution that integrates directory services, mail, gateway, and network management into a single, easy-to-manage platform.
Zentyal 8.1 introduces a series of important improvements that enhance the reliability and security of your infrastructure:
Stronger system security through improved protections and policies
Enhanced stability across core services and system operations
Updated platform foundation based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
Improved handling of system components and services
Greater control and consistency in licensing and system behavior
Rather than focusing on new features, Zentyal 8.1 is designed to make existing functionality more robust, predictable, and secure in production environments.
Yes—Zentyal is widely used as a Linux-based alternative to Windows Server, particularly in small and mid-sized environments.
It provides key services typically associated with Windows Server, including:
Active Directory compatibility (domain controller, authentication, policies)
File and print services
Mail server capabilities
Network gateway and firewall management
Zentyal’s advantage is that it integrates these services into a single platform with a simplified interface, reducing the complexity and cost of managing multiple systems.
Zentyal is designed for organizations that need reliable infrastructure without the overhead of complex enterprise systems.
It is particularly well suited for:
Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs)
Managed service providers (MSPs)
IT teams managing hybrid Windows/Linux environments
Organizations looking to reduce reliance on Windows Server licensing
Distributed teams that require secure, centralized infrastructure
Upgrading to Zentyal 8.1 should be planned carefully to ensure a smooth transition.
Recommended steps:
Review the official upgrade documentation
Back up your system and configuration
Test the upgrade in a staging environment if possible
Follow the supported upgrade path for your current version
Zentyal 8.1 is a recommended upgrade for supported installations, particularly for organizations seeking improved stability and long-term support.
Yes—Zentyal 8.1 is designed with production environments in mind.
This release prioritizes:
Stability across core services
Predictable system behavior
Improved security posture
Because it is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, it benefits from a long-term support cycle and a well-tested upstream platform, making it suitable for business-critical infrastructure.
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Long-Term Support) is the latest enterprise-grade release of Ubuntu, providing:
Long-term security updates
Stability and reliability
Compatibility with modern hardware and software
By building Zentyal 8.1 on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, the platform inherits a robust and future-proof foundation, ensuring that your infrastructure remains secure and supported for years to come.
Zentyal stands out because it combines multiple infrastructure services into a single, integrated platform.
Instead of deploying and managing separate systems, Zentyal provides:
Directory services
Mail server
Gateway and firewall
Network management
All through a unified interface.
This reduces complexity, lowers operational overhead, and allows IT teams to manage infrastructure more efficiently.
You can download Zentyal or learn more about the release through the official resources:
Download Zentyal
Read the full release announcement
Review documentation and upgrade guides
For organizations evaluating Zentyal, trial and evaluation options are also available.
Still have questions? Contact our team or explore the documentation to get started with Zentyal 8.1.