It Lives Inside Release Date Updates and Other Details

Overview of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Support Phases

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) offers a structured lifecycle and support phases for its versions, ensuring long-term stability and security for its users. Each major RHEL version, such as RHEL 7, 8, and 9, undergoes a lifecycle that spans approximately ten years, divided into several phases: Full Support, Maintenance Support, and Extended Life Phase. This structured approach helps organizations plan their IT strategies effectively, knowing they have consistent and predictable support throughout the lifecycle of the product.

Details on Lifecycle Phases

Each phase of the RHEL lifecycle has specific characteristics and services. During the Full Support Phase, subscribers receive all types of updates and support, including hardware enablement, security, and bug fixes, as well as new features. As the product transitions into the Maintenance Support phases, the focus shifts towards system stability and security, with critical updates still being provided. The Extended Life Phase, which follows, offers limited support, mainly access to previously released patches and updates, without new enhancements or hardware support.

Extended Maintenance Options

For enterprises needing support beyond the standard lifecycle, Red Hat offers additional options such as Extended Update Support (EUS) and Enhanced Extended Update Support (Enhanced EUS). These add-ons provide extended support for specific minor releases, allowing organizations to maintain a stable and secure environment for longer periods. This is particularly useful for systems that require longer testing and certification cycles before upgrades can be implemented.

Virtualization and Hardware Enablement

Red Hat places a strong emphasis on supporting new hardware technologies as they become available. During the earlier phases of the lifecycle, RHEL versions receive hardware enablement updates, which may include drivers and other necessary software to support newer hardware. In later phases, hardware support is typically provided through virtualization, allowing older RHEL versions to run as virtual machines on newer systems.

Life-cycle Dates and Planning

Red Hat provides detailed planning guides for each major RHEL version, which include anticipated release dates for minor versions and the scope of support for each. These guides assist IT professionals in planning their upgrade paths and support strategies well in advance. For instance, RHEL 8 and RHEL 9 are planned to have minor releases approximately every six months, with certain releases designated to include Extended Update Support.

Application Streams and Software Maintenance

RHEL 8 and 9 introduced the concept of Application Streams, which allows users to choose specific versions of software packages to install and manage, independent of the underlying operating system version. This flexibility helps in maintaining application compatibility and stability, as users can select the version that best fits their needs without waiting for the entire system to be updated. Each Application Stream has its own lifecycle, typically aligned with the upstream support of the software it contains.

Conclusion

The structured lifecycle and support phases of RHEL provide a predictable and stable environment for enterprises. With options for extended support and flexible software management through Application Streams, Red Hat continues to be a robust choice for enterprise Linux deployments. Understanding these phases and planning accordingly is crucial for maintaining system security, compatibility, and performance.

FAQs

What is the typical lifecycle of a Red Hat Enterprise Linux version?
A typical RHEL version has a lifecycle of approximately ten years, divided into Full Support, Maintenance Support, and Extended Life phases.

Can I receive hardware enablement updates during the Extended Life Phase?
No, hardware enablement updates are generally not provided during the Extended Life Phase. However, virtualization can be used to run older RHEL versions on newer hardware.

What are Application Streams in RHEL 8 and 9?
Application Streams allow users to select specific versions of software packages independently of the base operating system, providing greater flexibility and stability.

How can I extend support beyond the Maintenance Support Phase?
Red Hat offers Extended Update Support (EUS) and Enhanced Extended Update Support (Enhanced EUS) add-ons, which extend support for specific minor releases beyond the standard lifecycle.

Are there any options for support once a RHEL version enters the Extended Life Phase?
During the Extended Life Phase, support is limited to access to previously released content and documentation. No new updates or hardware enablement are provided.

How often are minor releases planned for RHEL 8 and 9?
Minor releases for RHEL 8 and 9 are planned approximately every six months, with certain releases including Extended Update Support.