Canonical to Maintain 10-Year Support Period for Ubuntu LTS Versions

In response to recent rumors suggesting a reduction in the upstream Linux Long-Term Support (LTS) kernel support window from six years to two years, Canonical has once again affirmed their commitment to providing a ten-year support period for Ubuntu Long-Term Support (LTS) versions.

Before the release of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS in April next year, Canonical reiterated their promise to customers, guaranteeing a decade of support for Ubuntu LTS versions. Even if the support window for upstream Linux LTS kernel cycles is shortened, Canonical will stand firm in its commitment to supporting Ubuntu LTS for ten years.

Similar to Red Hat Enterprise Linux and other major enterprise-grade Linux distributions, they are also unlikely to reduce their support window due to changes in the upstream kernel LTS policy.

However, it’s important to note that Ubuntu LTS kernels do not always align with the Linux LTS kernels, and Ubuntu LTS dot versions often backport newer kernel versions as part of their Hardware Enablement (HWE) stack.

So, based on today’s Ubuntu blog post, there is no need to worry about Canonical altering the Ubuntu LTS support policy.

What other Linux distributions offer long-term support?

Several Linux distributions offer Long-Term Support (LTS) versions, which provide extended support and stability for a specified duration.

These distributions are favored in enterprise and production environments where system reliability and maintenance over an extended period are critical. Here are some of the popular Linux distributions that offer LTS releases:

Ubuntu LTS: Ubuntu is known for its LTS versions, with a typical support period of five years for desktop editions and ten years for server editions.
Debian: Debian releases are known for their stability. While they don’t have LTS releases in the same way Ubuntu does, each Debian release has a long support cycle, and security updates are provided for an extended period.
CentOS: CentOS used to be a popular choice for enterprise users, as it aimed to provide binary compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). However, CentOS Linux shifted its strategy, but you can still use CentOS Stream or explore alternatives like AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux for RHEL-like stability.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL): RHEL is the enterprise-grade Linux distribution offered by Red Hat. It comes with long-term support and is widely used in corporate environments.
SUSE Linux Enterprise: SUSE offers long-term support with its SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) editions, catering to enterprise and business needs.
Oracle Linux: Oracle provides Oracle Linux with extended support for Oracle products and services. It is typically used in conjunction with Oracle database systems.
Fedora: While Fedora is not known for long-term support, it serves as the upstream version for RHEL, so changes and improvements in Fedora often make their way into RHEL.
OpenSUSE Leap: OpenSUSE Leap offers a balance between the regular release model of Tumbleweed and the stability of an LTS release, making it suitable for certain business use cases.

These distributions vary in terms of support duration, package management, and focus, so the choice of an LTS distribution depends on your specific requirements and preferences. It’s essential to consider factors such as the duration of support, community and vendor support, compatibility with your software stack, and the specific needs of your environment when selecting an LTS distribution for your use case.