Last Thursday, June 4, we talked to you about launch of Blender 2.83. No, I have not crossed the wires and I am comparing a 3D modeling program, among other things, with the Linux kernel, but it did include something that has to do with the news of this article: it was the first Long- version. Term Support of the history of the software, and in this article we are going to echo a news item from other LTS software, in this case the linux kernel.
Some LTS versions of the Linux kernel are supported for two years. This is a lot, but there may be an imbalance when compared to the support offered by LTS versions of operating systems like Ubuntu, which are supported for 5 years. Since this week, as reported by Greg Kroah-Hartman, the main developer who is responsible for maintaining the kernel, has extended support, or delayed the EOL (End Of Life) version, from two to six years for the latest Long-Term Support versions of the Linux kernel.
Latest LTS kernel versions triple support time
This has been reported in this page, where he mentions that both Linux 4.19 and Linux 5.4 will be supported until December 2024 and December 2025 respectively.
To explain a bit how the life cycles of the Linux kernel work, it must be made clear that there are two types:
- Stable- A new version arrives every two months or so. Soon after they release the EOL version and we have to update or we will stop receiving support.
- LTS: are the versions supported for the longest time. In the past, the support was only 2 years, but in 2017 they announced that they would be supported for 6 years. This started with Linux 4.4, but the support has to be officially extended from 2 to 6 years as Kroah-Hartman just did with Linux 4.19 and Linux 5.4. And it is Greg who decides for how long a version of the kernel that he maintains will be supported.
Touching too much is not recommended for novice users
All this explained and as a personal and non-transferable recommendation, I always say one thing: the kernel is not worth 'playing' with Unless we have a very annoying failure, which is usually hardware, with which we cannot live. In general, Linux distributions tend to keep the kernel of their operating system well up-to-date, both those that use the Rolling Release development model, which keep it up to date, and those that release an operating system every several months, who apply all the Necessary security patches to the version they use until they release a new version of the operating system and update the kernel to a higher version. In any case, it is already official: Linux 5.4 and 4.9 will be supported until 2025 and 2024 respectively, so peace of mind for everyone.
Sure! That is the most beautiful way that if there are double-edged options configured by default in the kernel, to be able to make a good deal on those things for 6 years.
Few people configure and compile their kernels, taking away all the options that seem beneficial at first, but if you think about them, they are a latent danger of double edge or use ... those who configure and compile their kernels You will understand me ... to the rest of the flock I just say ... not all that glitters is gold.