.. _salt-version-support-lifecycle: ============================== Salt version support lifecycle ============================== Together with the :ref:`salt-supported-operating-systems` guidelines, this document is intended to clearly define how long a particular version of Salt will receive official packages, testing, and technical support. Version support lifecycle ========================= .. list-table:: :widths: 20 25 25 30 :align: center :header-rows: 1 :stub-columns: 1 :class: slim * - Salt version - Release date - `Active support`_ ends - `CVE and critical support`_ ends * - 3007 STS - March 6, 2024 - January, 2025 - January, 2025 * - 3006 LTS - April 18, 2023 - January, 2025 - January, 2026 .. Note:: Salt Project is committed to providing active support for the current LTS release. There will always be at least one LTS release at a time. If unforeseen circumstances cause delays in the timing of the next LTS release, support for the current LTS release will be extended as needed. STS versions of Salt are actively supported until the date of the next LTS or STS release. See `Older version support lifecycle`_ for versions of Salt older than 3006. LTS/STS release and support policy ================================== Beginning with the 3006 release of Salt, the Salt Project will follow an LTS/STS release strategy. Under this strategy, the Salt Project will release one LTS (long-term support) release of Salt per year and one or more STS (short-term support) release each year. The LTS release will receive bug fix releases for a longer period of time than STS releases. The purpose of the LTS release is to provide users with a stable version of Salt for a longer period (2 years). The purpose of the STS release is to provide a feature release to users who need or prefer access to the latest features in between LTS releases. .. Warning:: If you are unsure whether to use the LTS or STS release, you should use the LTS release. .. list-table:: :widths: 30 35 35 :header-rows: 1 :stub-columns: 1 * - - LTS release - STS release * - Release schedule - * Released once a year * 1-2 release candidates in the months leading up to the release * Regular bug/fix point releases as needed after GA release - * Released in between LTS releases * There may possibly be more than one at a time or no STS releases at a given point in time * - Support schedule - * Active support for at least a full year, including regular bug/fix releases * CVE and critical fixes support for an additional year after active support ends * Salt Project will always actively support at least one LTS release at a time * If unforeseen circumstances cause delays in the timing of the next LTS release, support for the current LTS release will be extended as needed - * Active support until the next LTS or STS release * CVE and critical fixes support until the next LTS or STS release * - Development schedule - Features developed in the 6 months prior to release - Features developed in the 6 months prior to release * - Use case - Best for users who: * Need or prefer a stable, thoroughly tested and well-supported release * Prefer stable releases over access to the latest features * Require longer time periods to plan and implement Salt infrastructure upgrades - Best for users who: * Need or prefer access to new features in between LTS releases * Are comfortable assuming a small amount of risk as a trade-off for access to the latest features Support level definitions ========================= Active support -------------- **Active support** is defined as: * The Salt Project will issue regular point releases with critical bug fixes. * Improved software functionality may be provided at the discretion of the project. * Point releases will include the content of previously released updates. * The focus of point releases will be high and critical bugs. .. Admonition:: Support for new releases of operating systems Sometimes a new version of a supported operating system is released during the active support window for a specific version of Salt, such as a new release of RedHat or Debian. Salt Project support for new versions of operating systems varies for LTS and STS releases: * **LTS releases** - Support for new operating systems will not be added in future point releases. Instead, the new operating system will be supported in the next major LTS release. * **STS releases** - Support for new operating systems will be added for point releases if possible. CVE and critical support ------------------------ **CVE and critical support** is defined as: * The Salt Project may release point releases with fixes for selected CVEs. * Fixes in newer branches will not be back ported. * The focus of point releases will be critical CVEs and breaking fixes that are caused by CVE fixes. Older version support lifecycle =============================== The following table lists the support lifecycle for versions of Salt prior to the 3006 version: .. list-table:: :widths: 15 20 20 20 25 :align: center :header-rows: 1 :stub-columns: 1 :class: slim * - Salt version - `Phase 1 support`_ ends - `Phase 2 support`_ ends - `Phase 3 support`_ ends - `Extended life support`_ ends * - 3005 - Feb 25, 2023 - Aug 25, 2023 - Feb 25, 2024 - Feb 25, 2025 * - 3004 - Apr 18, 2022 - Oct 18, 2022 - Apr 18, 2023 - Apr 18, 2024 * - 3003 - Sep 30, 2021 - Mar 31, 2022 - Sep 30, 2022 - Sep 30, 2023 * - 3002 - Apr 21, 2021 - Oct 21, 2021 - Apr 21, 2022 - Apr 21, 2023 * - 3001 - Dec 31, 2020 - Jun 30, 2021 - Dec 31, 2021 - Dec 31, 2022 * - 3000 - Aug 31, 2020 - Feb 28, 2021 - Aug 31, 2021 - Aug 31, 2022 * - 2019.2 - Sep 30, 2019 - Mar 31, 2020 - Sep 30, 2020 - Sep 30, 2021 * - 2018.3 - Oct 31, 2018 - Apr 30, 2019 - Oct 31, 2019 - Oct 31, 2020 * - 2017.7 - Jan 31, 2018 - Jun 30, 2018 - Aug 30, 2019 - Dec 31, 2019 * - 2016.3 - Nov 30, 2016 - May 31, 2017 - Nov 30, 2017 - Nov 30, 2018 * - 2015.8 - Mar 31, 2016 - Sep 30, 2016 - Mar 31, 2017 - Mar 31, 2018 * - 2015.5 - Nov 31, 2015 - May 31, 2016 - Nov 30, 2016 - Nov 30, 2017 * - 2014.7 - May 31, 2015 - Nov 30, 2015 - May 31, 2016 - May 31, 2017 Older version support level definitions ======================================= Phase 1 support --------------- Regular point release support During phase 1: * The Salt Project will issue regular point releases with critical bug fixes. * Improved software functionality may be provided at the discretion of the project. * Point releases will include the content of previously released updates. * The focus of phase 1 releases will be high and critical bugs. Phase 2 support --------------- On-demand support During phase 2: * The Salt Project may release point releases with bug fixes as requested by VMware customers. * Point releases will include the content of previously released updates. * The focus of phase 2 releases will be high or critical bugs. Phase 3 support --------------- CVE support During phase 3: * The Salt Project will release point releases with fixes for selected, critical CVEs. * Fixes in newer branches will not be back ported. Extended life support --------------------- During extended life support: * The Salt Project will not release any point releases. * Users will still have access to archived documentation. * The Salt Project will provide ongoing best-effort technical support for customers on existing installations. * No bug fixes, security fixes, improved functionality, or root-cause analysis will be provided. Phase details ------------- .. list-table:: :widths: 35 15 15 15 20 :align: center :header-rows: 1 :stub-columns: 1 :class: slim * - - Phase 1 support (6 months) - Phase 2 support (6 months) - Phase 3 support (6 months) - Extended life support (12 months) * - Access to documentation - Yes - Yes - Yes - Yes * - Technical support [#f1]_ - Yes - Yes - Yes - Yes (best effort) * - Access to customer portal [#f2]_ - Yes - Yes - Yes - * - CVE fixes - Yes - Yes - Yes - * - Point release with bug fixes - Yes - Yes - - * - Software enhancements - Yes - - - .. [#f1] For VMware customers only. .. [#f2] For VMware customers only.