Is there a lts version for linux system?

Linux systems have LTS versions, for example, Linux 6.1 is an LTS version; Linux-specific LTS versions can be maintained for up to six years, that is, Linux 6.1 can be maintained until December 2028. But that would require coordination with industry players using the core to know for sure. Long-term support (LTS) releases are typically associated with applications or operating systems that receive security, maintenance, and feature updates over an extended period of time; LTS releases are considered the most stable releases, have undergone extensive testing, and are mostly Contains improvements accumulated over the years.

Linux system has lts version.

As early as December 2022, Linux stable version maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman designated Linux 6.1 as the 2022 LTS kernel, but the test results of Linux 6.1 by kernel stakeholders came a little late. Now Hartman and fellow maintainer Sasha Levin have gathered enough positive responses to officially upgrade Linux 6.1 to an LTS release.

Stable kernel maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman confirmed Linux 6.1 as the 2022 LTS (Long Term Support) kernel. Linux 6.1 will be released in December 2022 and is scheduled to be maintained until December 2026, which is only two months longer than the current LTS version Linux 5.15 LTS. Linux-specific LTS versions will be maintained for up to six years, meaning Linux 6.1 could be maintained until December 2028, but that would need to be determined in coordination with industry players using the kernel. Android, a major industry player, often uses older kernel versions. The latest kernel version used by Android 13 is 5.15.

According to foreign media Phoronix, the latest LTS cycle plan is to maintain Linux 6.1 until December 2026, which is only two months longer than the 2020 Linux 5.15 LTS series. Of course, with further discussions, Linux 6.1 could get a 6-year LTS cycle, lasting until 2028. After all, the initial Linux 6.1 LTS only had a two-year LTS cycle, which was changed to a four-year maintenance period during the second update.

There are more and more LTS versions that need to be maintained, which may put a lot of pressure on maintainers. All versions of the Linux kernel LTS cycle can be queried at kernel.org. The next (non-LTS) kernel version, Linux 6.2, will be released in a week, followed by the launch of the merge window for Linux 6.3.

What is LTS Long Term Support

In the world of Linux, especially when talking about Ubuntu, you will encounter LTS (Long Term Support) word.

Long Term Support (LTS) Release Introduction

Long Term Support (LTS) releases are usually application or operating system related and you will be secure for a longer period of time , maintenance and (sometimes) feature updates.

LTS version is considered the most stable version, it has undergone extensive testing and mostly contains improvements accumulated over the years.

It should be noted that LTS versions of software do not necessarily involve feature updates unless there is a newer LTS version. However, you will get necessary bug fixes and security fixes in updates to the LTS version.

LTS versions are recommended for production-grade consumers, businesses, and merchants because you get years of software support and software updates won’t break your system.

If you notice a non-LTS version of any software, it is usually a cutting-edge version with new features and a shorter support time span (e.g. 6-9 months) as compared to the support time of the LTS version for 3-5 years.

In order to give everyone a clearer understanding of the differences between LTS and non-LTS versions, let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of choosing the LTS version.

Advantages of LTS versions:

• Long time for software updates and security and maintenance fixes (Ubuntu has 5 years of support)

• Extensive testing

• Software updates will not bring system-breaking changes

• You Enough time to prepare the system for the next LTS version

Disadvantages of LTS version

• Does not provide the latest and greatest Strong Features

• You may miss the latest hardware support

• You may also miss the latest application upgrade

Extended knowledge:

What is Ubuntu LTS?

Since 2006, Ubuntu has released a non-LTS version every six months and an LTS version every two years.

The latest LTS version is Ubuntu 20.04, which will be supported until April 2025. In other words, Ubuntu 20.04 will receive software updates until then. Non-LTS versions are only supported for nine months.

You will find that Ubuntu LTS versions are always labeled as "LTS". At least, that's the case when browsing the latest Ubuntu releases on the official Ubuntu website.

To give you more clarity, if you have seen Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, that means: it was released back in April 2016 and is supported until 2021 (think 5 years Software update).

Similarly, you can also estimate update support for each Ubuntu LTS version by calculating the 5-year software support period following its release date.

What does Ubuntu LTS software update include?

Ubuntu LTS releases receive security and maintenance updates throughout the life of their release. Unless the version reaches end-of-life (EOL), you'll get all necessary security and bug fixes.

You won’t notice any feature upgrades in the LTS version. So, if you want to try out the latest experimental technologies, you may want to upgrade your version of Ubuntu to a non-LTS version.

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