Re: EOL Kernels versions

Re: EOL Kernels versions

[Konstantin Ryabitsev]

On Tue, Nov 23, 2021 at 10:05:20AM +0000, Fernandes, Francois wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> First of all thanks for your very interesting website.
> We contact you today because we are looking for an information regarding the Kernels versions.

> We are using the following version : Kernel V5.4V20
> 
> Regarding your table hereunder, we understand that this version will be EOL in December 2025.
> 
> [cid:image004.jpg@01D7E05A.07F76050]
> 
> Could you please advise :
> - What will happened in January 2026 ?

Two things:

1. most likely: a final 5.4.x version will be released and no new 5.4.x
   versions will be provided after that (meaning no new security or bug fixes),
   or
2. less likely: someone else will step up to maintain the 5.4 series instead
   of the current stable kernel team, in which case the EOL deadline will be
   extended further

> - Is the evolution to a newer version imperative ?

Yes. It is never a good idea to run a kernel version that is no longer
receiving security updates -- unless your devices run completely offline with
no external input of any kind.

Note, that you don't have to wait for the 5.4.x to reach EOL before you plan
your switch to a newer LTS tree. You should prepare for it well in advance.

> - Is this evolution a difficult operation ?

There is no simple answer to this question. It greatly depends on how you use
the kernel for your project. If you maintain many custom kernel modules, then
porting them to a newer version of the kernel can require some effort. If you
are using a vanilla kernel version running on common hardware, then switching
to a newer kernel tree could be very easy. In any case, you should plan out
proper development and testing resources.

> Thanks in advance for your help on this subject.

I have cc'd the stable list, where you can get further help for questions you
may have.

-K

RE: [External] - Re: EOL Kernels versions

[Fernandes, Francois]

Hi Konstantin,

Thanks a lot for your quick answer.

I found some complementary information here :
https://itsfoss.com/why-distros-use-old-kernel/

It seems that even if the kernel version is EOL it's not a matter while the distribution version (in our case Debian 10 (Buster) is still under support.
Is my understanding correct ?

And is this information true ?

Thanks again for your appreciated help.
Best regards.
François
-----Message d'origine-----
De : Konstantin Ryabitsev <konstantin@linuxfoundation.org> 
Envoyé : mardi 23 novembre 2021 15:37
À : Fernandes, Francois <Francois.Fernandes@conduent.com>
Cc : webmaster@kernel.org; stable@vger.kernel.org
Objet : [External] - Re: EOL Kernels versions



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On Tue, Nov 23, 2021 at 10:05:20AM +0000, Fernandes, Francois wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> First of all thanks for your very interesting website.
> We contact you today because we are looking for an information regarding the Kernels versions.

> We are using the following version : Kernel V5.4V20
> 
> Regarding your table hereunder, we understand that this version will be EOL in December 2025.
> 
> [cid:image004.jpg@01D7E05A.07F76050]
> 
> Could you please advise :
> - What will happened in January 2026 ?

Two things:

1. most likely: a final 5.4.x version will be released and no new 5.4.x
   versions will be provided after that (meaning no new security or bug fixes),
   or
2. less likely: someone else will step up to maintain the 5.4 series instead
   of the current stable kernel team, in which case the EOL deadline will be
   extended further

> - Is the evolution to a newer version imperative ?

Yes. It is never a good idea to run a kernel version that is no longer receiving security updates -- unless your devices run completely offline with no external input of any kind.

Note, that you don't have to wait for the 5.4.x to reach EOL before you plan your switch to a newer LTS tree. You should prepare for it well in advance.

> - Is this evolution a difficult operation ?

There is no simple answer to this question. It greatly depends on how you use the kernel for your project. If you maintain many custom kernel modules, then porting them to a newer version of the kernel can require some effort. If you are using a vanilla kernel version running on common hardware, then switching to a newer kernel tree could be very easy. In any case, you should plan out proper development and testing resources.

> Thanks in advance for your help on this subject.

I have cc'd the stable list, where you can get further help for questions you may have.

-K

Re: [External] - Re: EOL Kernels versions

[Konstantin Ryabitsev]

On Tue, Nov 23, 2021 at 03:13:46PM +0000, Fernandes, Francois wrote:
> Hi Konstantin,
> 
> Thanks a lot for your quick answer.
> 
> I found some complementary information here :
> https://itsfoss.com/why-distros-use-old-kernel/
> 
> It seems that even if the kernel version is EOL it's not a matter while the
> distribution version (in our case Debian 10 (Buster) is still under support.
> Is my understanding correct ?

Yes, distributions may choose to maintain their own LTS versions. If you are
basing your work on a distribution like Debian and aren't shipping your own
kernel, then you should plan your work around the distribution's announced EOL
dates.

-K

RE: [External] - Re: EOL Kernels versions

[Fernandes, Francois]

OK, 
So in this case we 'only' have to follow the version for the distribution date and move this at each EOL distribution date.

I understood that this kind of evolution is easier than a kernel evolution.
Could you confirm please ?

I will stop boring you after :)
Thanks again for your help.
Best regards.
François

-----Message d'origine-----
De : Konstantin Ryabitsev <konstantin@linuxfoundation.org> 
Envoyé : mardi 23 novembre 2021 16:33
À : Fernandes, Francois <Francois.Fernandes@conduent.com>
Cc : webmaster@kernel.org; stable@vger.kernel.org
Objet : Re: [External] - Re: EOL Kernels versions

On Tue, Nov 23, 2021 at 03:13:46PM +0000, Fernandes, Francois wrote:
> Hi Konstantin,
> 
> Thanks a lot for your quick answer.
> 
> I found some complementary information here :
> https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitsf
> oss.com%2Fwhy-distros-use-old-kernel%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7CFrancois.Fe
> rnandes%40conduent.com%7C8355a82766034b094ec108d9ae969d28%7C1aed4588b8
> ce43a8a775989538fd30d8%7C0%7C0%7C637732784185975483%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbG
> Zsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%
> 3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=%2BxlJ%2FkE5XFTPRmHn%2FUBtGjPnpv3ThpJc7Q88DgUpuwI%
> 3D&amp;reserved=0
> 
> It seems that even if the kernel version is EOL it's not a matter 
> while the distribution version (in our case Debian 10 (Buster) is still under support.
> Is my understanding correct ?

Yes, distributions may choose to maintain their own LTS versions. If you are basing your work on a distribution like Debian and aren't shipping your own kernel, then you should plan your work around the distribution's announced EOL dates.

-K

Re: [External] - Re: EOL Kernels versions

[Konstantin Ryabitsev]

On Tue, Nov 23, 2021 at 04:53:43PM +0000, Fernandes, Francois wrote:
> OK, 
> So in this case we 'only' have to follow the version for the distribution date and move this at each EOL distribution date.
> 
> I understood that this kind of evolution is easier than a kernel evolution.
> Could you confirm please ?

I cannot confirm this, since the answer will depend on what exactly you need
for your project. If you are not shipping custom hardware and do not require a
custom kernel build, then you should stick with the kernel that comes with the
distribution you are using and upgrade whenever the next Debian version is
released.

Hope this helps.

-K

RE: [External] - Re: EOL Kernels versions

[Fernandes, Francois]

Hi Konstantin,

Thanks a lot, this exactly our situation.

I will forward this to our specialist department and will be back if necessary.

Thanks again for your appreciated support and help.
Have a nice day.
Best regards.
François

-----Message d'origine-----
De : Konstantin Ryabitsev <konstantin@linuxfoundation.org> 
Envoyé : mardi 23 novembre 2021 18:00
À : Fernandes, Francois <Francois.Fernandes@conduent.com>
Cc : webmaster@kernel.org; stable@vger.kernel.org
Objet : Re: [External] - Re: EOL Kernels versions

On Tue, Nov 23, 2021 at 04:53:43PM +0000, Fernandes, Francois wrote:
> OK,
> So in this case we 'only' have to follow the version for the distribution date and move this at each EOL distribution date.
> 
> I understood that this kind of evolution is easier than a kernel evolution.
> Could you confirm please ?

I cannot confirm this, since the answer will depend on what exactly you need for your project. If you are not shipping custom hardware and do not require a custom kernel build, then you should stick with the kernel that comes with the distribution you are using and upgrade whenever the next Debian version is released.

Hope this helps.

-K