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Version: 2.202302

Linux Distribution Support Policy for Nevis

This section gives an overview of the operating system distributions supported by Nevis, and our plans for the future in this regard.

Linux Distribution Support Policy​

Nevis supports at least one major version of the following Linux "distributions":

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)

Each Nevis-supported distribution version must still be supported by its vendor:

  • For RHEL, this means that the distribution version is under "Full Support" or under "Maintenance Support (1/2)".
  • For SLES, this means that the distribution version is under "General Support".

The above support policy applies to all Nevis RR and LTS releases during their Nevis Full Support phase. For the Nevis LTS Maintenance Support and LTS Extended Life Support phases, the distribution version can be under extended or long term support (or equivalent).

During the lifetime of each major LTS release (4 years), Nevis will not change the supported major distribution version(s). But if the vendor's support for a distribution version ends during these 4 years, the Nevis support ends too.

For nevisAppliance, each release is based on exactly one CentOS version. Its major version timeline is expected to follow the latest Nevis-supported RHEL major version closely (but not exactly).

Requirements

  • For proper functioning, Nevis may require you to change the default distribution settings or install additional software (such as Java).
  • In exceptional cases, Nevis may require you to install the latest minor version of a distribution (for example, to install a required operating system fix).

Support Status Overview​

The following figure shows the planned support for each distribution version. For further details, refer to the Q&A section below.

The figure is based on distribution vendor support information and on the Nevis Roadmap. It is subject to change if those sources are changed.

Linux distribution support policy

Nevis Component Support Status​

The product lifetime documentation for the in

  • Newer RHEL versions are generally supported, but some components do not support SLES or older RHEL versions.
  • For the supported distributions at component level, see the sub-section "Component and Operating System" on each component's page.
  • If a Nevis component supports a particular distribution (e.g., SLES), Nevis plans to keep up support for that distribution (until the whole component is EOL).

Frequently Asked Questions​

When will you support RHEL 8?​

We expect to support RHEL 8 from the Nov 2021 Nevis release (LTS 2021 and RR) onward.

Explanation: In accordance with the general policy above, Nevis RR and LTS major releases will start supporting the newest major version of RHEL before RHEL 7 Maintenance Support 2 ends. The currently communicated end of RHEL 7 Maintenance Support 2 is June 30, 2024. To give customers time to plan and execute the upgrade, you may expect Nevis to support RHEL 8 from the Nov 2021 release (LTS and RR) onward.

When will you support SLES 15?​

We expect to support SLES 15* from the Nov 2021 Nevis release (LTS 2021 and RR) onward.

Explanation: In accordance with the general policy above, Nevis RR and LTS major releases will start supporting the newest major version of SLES before SLES 12 General Support ends. The currently communicated end of SLES 12 General Support is Oct 31, 2024 . To give customers time to plan and execute the upgrade, you may expect Nevis to support SLES 15 from the Nov 2021 release (LTS and RR) onward.

When will support for RHEL 7 or SLES 12 end?​

For RR, support for RHEL 7 / SLES 12* is expected to end in Feb 2022.

For the major releases LTS 2019 and LTS 2021, we plan to support RHEL 7 until the end of their respective lifetimes (Nov 2023 / Nov 2025).

The major release LTS 2023, which is due in Nov 2023, will not support RHEL 7 nor SLES 12.

When will support for RHEL 6 or SLES 11 end?​

For RR, support for RHEL 6and SLES 11 will end in Nov 2021.

For the major release LTS 2019, support for RHEL 6will end in Nov 2022 (or Nov 2023 with Nevis Extended Life Support). For SLES 11, the vendor's LTSS ends 31 Mar 2022, so Nevis support will also end on this date.

nevisProxy LTS 2019

For nevisProxy 3.14.3.x " The major release LTS 2021, which is due in Nov 2021, will not support RHEL 6 nor SLES 11.

When will support for RHEL 5 and SLES 10 end?​

For any RR and LTS version, RHEL 5and SLES 10 support will end on Dec 31, 2020.

I am using the LTS 2019 major release. Will this release support RHEL 8 or SLES 15?​

No, each major Nevis LTS release only supports the distribution versions that were valid on the LTS release date (for LTS 2019, these are mainly RHEL 7 and SLES 12).

To use a newer distribution version with LTS, you have to upgrade to the LTS 2021 major release after the Nov 2021 release.

I am using a newer/older major version of a distribution than the one(s) officially supported by Nevis. It seems to work fine. Is this supported?​

No. Nevis only supports your environment if you run it on a supported version of the distribution.

Still, I would like to use a newer version of RHEL or SLES than currently supported by Nevis. Is this somehow possible?​

Yes, but only if you use nevisAdmin 4 to deploy the official Nevis Docker images on a Kubernetes cluster .

As far as Nevis is concerned, you can freely** choose the major version of RHEL or SLES on which to run the Kubernetes cluster software. For the Kubernetes versions supported by Nevis, refer to the nevisAdmin 4 Technical Documentation. To make sure that your distribution of choice is compatible with a Nevis-supported Kubernetes version, see the distribution vendor.

Note that the Linux distribution running inside the Docker container is chosen by Nevis and cannot be changed by customers. ** Some vendors package Kubernetes into a larger solution, such as OpenShift. Contact your Nevis representative if you run Nevis on such a solution.

Can I run the Nevis Docker images without nevisAdmin 4 or Kubernetes?​

No, Nevis does not support this.

Can I containerize the Nevis software myself?​

No, Nevis does not support this.

To plan a distribution upgrade, I require sufficient advance notice. When will you inform us?​

Nevis will inform you about the end-of-support for a particular major distribution version at least one year in advance. Normally, you will need to upgrade your Nevis software at the same time. We will inform you via blog posts and updates of this policy document.

How much time do I have to upgrade my Linux distribution?​

If you use Nevis Rolling Releases (RR), you will have at least 3 months. Upgrade your Linux distribution before the RR Fade-Out Support ends.

If you use a Nevis LTS release, you will have at least 1 year. Upgrade your Linux distribution before the LTS Maintenance Support ends. Customers with LTS Extended Life Support have one additional year.

The following examples for RHEL illustrate the upgrade process.

The exact dates and versions are provisional and subject to change.* If you are using RR

  • If you are using LTS

I run Nevis on Kubernetes. Does this Linux distribution policy apply?​

No. Refer to the nevisAdmin 4 Technical Documentation for supported Kubernetes versions.

Footnotes​

  • Support for this distribution version is available for selected components. For more information, see the section " [Nevis Component Support Status.

References​

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Life Cycle, retrieved on Sep 2, 2020 <http://access.redhat.com/support/policy/updates/errata>
  • SUSE Product Support Lifecycle, retrieved on Sep 2, 2020 <http://www.suse.com/lifecycle/>
  • Nevis Lifecyle: [Rolling Release
  • Nevis Lifecycle: [Long Term Support