LTS release strategy RFC #23
Conversation
denyeart
requested review from
sykesm,
mastersingh24,
jyellick,
christo4ferris and
pamandrejko
Signed-off-by: David Enyeart <enyeart@us.ibm.com>
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| ## LTS release duration | ||
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| Once a *subsequent* LTS release is designated, users can expect 3rd digit patch releases to address critical bugs on the *prior* LTS release for approximately 9 more months. The maintainers will determine which fixes should to be backported to the latest LTS release, versus which fixes need to be further backported to the prior LTS release. 3rd digit patch releases should be expected less frequently for prior LTS releases, since only critical fixes will be published. The overlap period is intended to provide users a time window to upgrade their nodes, and any channel capabilities (if required). |
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Somehow, 9 month is a little shorter as "long term".
Typically it's several years for most existing software from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_support.
I think it should make sense to extend it to 12 month at least.
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9 months is the time for which two LTS releases will live simultaneously. This is saying once 2.x is marked as LTS we will continue delivering bug fixes to 1.4 for 9 months. It doesn't speak to length of time 2.x will actually be LTS for, that could be several years, and then once we deliver a new LTS after 2.x, then 2.x will continue to receive bug fixes for 9 months, while living simultaneously with the LTS after 2.x
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Make sense!
Besides, it would be better describe the interval between two LTS versions, too.
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No concerns raised during Final Comment Period, let's go ahead and merge. |
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the prior LTS release support for 9 months when the new LTS is announced is a short time frame compared to other enterprise products. If you have implemented production Fabric frameworks in a network on a prior LTS updating in 9 months may be a real challenge, depending on the quality of the migration tools provided. Also, regulations may require running only LTS versions which can be a problem. Many other enterprise products provide a 12 month prior LTS support window. |
Signed-off-by: David Enyeart enyeart@us.ibm.com