Timing of EOL notices

[Scott Kitterman]

On Friday, May 18, 2012 10:58:39 AM Jamie Strandboge wrote:
> Hi Kate,
> 
> I took an action item at UDS to discuss with the release team the timing
> of the EOL notices. Because we are currently backporting the kernel (and
> eventually X stack) to earlier releases, the timing of the EOL notice
> has an effect on the support for people running an LTS with backported
> kernel/X packages. Because the security, kernel and desktop teams will
> stop performing security updates past the EOL, it the EOL happens
> earlier than the release day, there can be a gap in support.
> 
> A specific example: 10.10 was EOLd in early April this year. 10.04 LTS
> users with a backported maverick kernel therefore no longer received
> security updates for this kernel after the EOL announcement (naturally),
> but these users did not have a viable upgrade path to maintain security
> support. They couldn't go to 10.10 (it was just made EOL) and 12.04 LTS
> was not released yet. I suggest the EOL announcement go out on the
> Friday or Monday after release such that there is at least a day of
> overlap. This is still within the spirit of 18 months support, even if
> it is actually off be a few days.

This would also preserve the release by release upgrade path for people who 
want to upgrade from one LTS to another at LTS release, but aren't willing to 
take the plunge and do a direct LTS to LTS upgrade (since we recommend holding 
off on those until the LTS.1 release is out).

Scott K