Linux Kernel LTS Set To Recieve 6 Years Support

This free and open source kernel serves as the base for most of the devices, including millions of Android and other ARM devices. Now, in a major change that involves how the kernel

support is provided, the two-year lifecycle of Linux LTS kernel is being bumped to six years.

This announcement was made by Googler Iliyan Malchev during a Linaro Connect 2017 presentation (Via: Ars Technica). While discussing the changes being brought to Android update cycle with Project Treble, he said: “Greg Kroah-Hartman has given me permission to announce this here: He will extend LTS to six years, starting with kernel 4.4.”

You can watch Malchev’s keynote speech below:

After this change, Android devices are going to be the ones which will get most benefits. The current Linux kernel lifecycle doesn’t align with Google’s support window, and the Android smartphones are deprived of regular security updates.

As told by Malchev, this 6-year Linux kernel LTS lifecycle will be applied from Linux kernel 4.4 onwards. As Linux 4.4 was released in 2016, its projected EOL is 2022.

 Follow

Greg K-H @gregkh

This is going to be fun! https://twitter.com/zishen_lim/status/913438653988298752 …

10:07 AM - Sep 29, 2017

•  22 Replies
 
•  1818 Retweets
 
•  4848 likes