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Linux Kernel 3.14 Series Has Reached End of Life (softpedia.com)
Slashdot reader prisoninmate quotes an article on Softpedia: it looks like the Linux kernel maintainers decided that there's no need to maintain the Linux kernel 3.14 LTS series anymore, so earlier today, September 11, 2016, they decided to release that last maintenance update, version 3.14.79, and mark the series as EOL (End of Life). Famous Linux kernel maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman was the one to make the big announcement, and he's urging users who want to still run a long-term supported kernel version to move to the Linux 4.4 LTS series, which is currently the most advanced LTS branch, or use the latest stable release, Linux kernel 4.7.3...
Linux kernel 3.14.79 is a very small update that changes a total of 12 files, with 45 insertions and 17 deletions, thus fixing a bug in the EXT4 file system, a networking issue related to the Reliable Datagram Sockets (RDS) protocol, and updating a few HID, s390, SCSI, networking drivers.
Linux kernel 3.14.79 is a very small update that changes a total of 12 files, with 45 insertions and 17 deletions, thus fixing a bug in the EXT4 file system, a networking issue related to the Reliable Datagram Sockets (RDS) protocol, and updating a few HID, s390, SCSI, networking drivers.
I've still got systems running 3.13.
WAIT! I've still got systems running 2.6.
If they are doing their jobs - why not?
The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
Obvious troll is obvious, but with Linux if it's really important you can continue maintaining it yourself as the source code is available. I don't think anyone is terribly likely to do this, but with Windows the option isn't even there.
Why, if it is now EOL, and they are releasing the last update, did they not make it "159"
Then we could run Pi Linux 3.14.159
I know, I know, version numbers and such, this was still a missed opportunity.
...
All Linux LTS releases have an EOL schedule, which is public, and known at least one year in advance. For 3.14, the projected EOL was August/2016. GregKH even gave it an extra month...
Current list:
https://www.kernel.org/category/releases.html
Longterm release kernels Version, Maintainer, Released, Projected EOL
4.4 Greg Kroah-Hartman 2016-01-10 Feb, 2018
4.1 Sasha Levin 2015-06-21 Sep, 2017
3.18 Sasha Levin 2014-12-07 Jan, 2017
3.16 Ben Hutchings 2014-08-03 Apr, 2020
3.12 Jiri Slaby 2013-11-03 Jan, 2017
3.10 Willy Tarreau 2013-06-30 Oct, 2017
3.4 Li Zefan 2012-05-20 Sep, 2016
3.2 Ben Hutchings 2012-01-04 May, 2018
Really, this is linked right there on the front page of www.kernel.org ("Releases" link on top of page).
At least with Windows, you know how long your OS is going to be maintained for. They don't just randomly decide that they're done issuing updates and discontinue it. Besides, each version of Windows is maintained longer than Linux, which is another plus. And unlike Linux, Windows still supports old hardware like 32 bit systems. There's no reason to replace a system that's working just fine, but that's what your forced to do when developers just randomly decide that it's time to stop maintaining a version of Linux.
As a longtime Linux user, it would make me very happy if you (and everyone else who thinks like you do) would stay on Windows.
Beating Microsoft at the desktop game is a puerile pissing contest that I don't care about. However I do care about interacting with a community of users who can understand the most basic and easily Googled things, such as the ease with which the Linux kernel can be used on a 32-bit system. See how that works?
I agree with Alvinrod that you are probably a troll, but who knows? There are plenty of stupid people who might say such things in all seriousness.
You could still slightly upgrade to pi and e, though.
Ezekiel 23:20
Looking at the still-supported LTR kernels, even the oldest one isn't all that old.
For network-connected embedded systems (routers, network-connected printers, IoT, etc.), I would want a kernel that had security-but-patch-maintenance for at least the useful life of the hardware itself - 5-10 years in most cases, longer in some cases like cars, refrigerators, etc.
Perhaps we need a "Very long term release" with an expectation of least 10 years of security fixes, at least for the architecture-independent systems and for a short list of "VLTS-supported" architectures and devices that are in common use in embedded systems.
As someone pointed out already, at least with Linux the source code is available. On the other hand, Microsoft does give 10 years of support for Windows 7/8/8.1 and for the "Long term service branch" mode of Windows 10.
Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
This is quote from another AC:
All Linux LTS releases have an EOL schedule, which is public, and known at least one year in advance. For 3.14, the projected EOL was August/2016. GregKH even gave it an extra month...
Current list:
https://www.kernel.org/category/releases.html
Longterm release kernels Version, Maintainer, Released, Projected EOL
4.4 Greg Kroah-Hartman 2016-01-10 Feb, 2018
4.1 Sasha Levin 2015-06-21 Sep, 2017
3.18 Sasha Levin 2014-12-07 Jan, 2017
3.16 Ben Hutchings 2014-08-03 Apr, 2020
3.12 Jiri Slaby 2013-11-03 Jan, 2017
3.10 Willy Tarreau 2013-06-30 Oct, 2017
3.4 Li Zefan 2012-05-20 Sep, 2016
3.2 Ben Hutchings 2012-01-04 May, 2018
Really, this is linked right there on the front page of www.kernel.org ("Releases" link on top of page).
So YES, we know how long Linux kernels are going to be maintained for.
YES, You can also find most of big distributions' support periods from their websites.
and YES, Linux kernel still supports 32 bit systems and more.
Support period may vary between distributions though, most of them support upgrade to newer versions for free! So theoretically Linux supports a lot longer than each version of Windows. You are obviously a troll. I wonder if you have ever used Linux or BSD before. i doubt!
I wonder if MS will continue to support Windows 7 to the advertised EOL.
Don't panic - some distros keep on patching those old kernels. That "Very long term release" is called RHEL, CentOS and probably a few others.
That's what the LTS branches are for...and unlike Windows, you're free to upgrade whenever it suits you. Linux runs on 32 bit systems just fine, you just need a better distro.
Riiight, and if you need a part for your Chevy here is some iron ore, you CAN smelt iron...right?
And people wonder why MSFT can put out 3 stinkers in a row and get more users in a fricking week than Linux has gotten for their desktop in 22 years.....ROFL just write your own kernel patches,why stop there? Why not tell them to grow some sheep so they can have sweaters, drop an oil rig or two and set up their own gas refinery, and grow some rubber trees to make the tires?
Riddle me this oh wise one...which do you think would be cheaper, hire an entire fucking kernel development team just to get support beyond 5 years, or pay $200 for a copy of Windows Pro and get 10 years of support?
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
You don't understand kernel development.
For a bug you have, it only takes ONE.
for a second thing, Linux kernels are far more downward compatible than you realize. And WAY more downward compatible than Windows.
What many non support/admin IT types do not realize is we are responsible for security. I've seen write-ups hit those whose IE 6 systems allowed ransomware. Oddly the one doing the write-up denied the request to update.
So damned if you do damned if you don't hence why we hate not forced updates, but rather the security patch is the new agile release etc. I left Mozilla Firefox after 4.0 for this reason and downgraded my office to IE.
With Windows 10 and soon server 2k12 and Windows 7 being only cumulative I may change careers! Kernel 2.6 needs 10 years support too!
How in hell do I avoid shell shock, ransomware, but still no releases bringing in bugs all at the same time??
This is bs and very disrespectful to the users.
http://saveie6.com/
Riiight, and if you need a part for your Chevy here is some iron ore, you CAN smelt iron...right?
Well, an iron ingot is easier to obtain than ore, and obtaining a programming book and learning to hack the kernel is easier and cheaper than obtaining an iron ingot, a machine shop, and learning how to use machining/milling tools.
But that's besides the point. The point is that for IT shops, you can always pay somebody to write a patch for your dated Linux systems, which your existing IT staff can then mass deploy. However if your windows systems go out of support, it's time to buy new computers, servers, etc.
Hairy I friended you because I agree with 80% of your rants. I used to agree with Linux too with no ABI meaning breaks with updates.
However, Windows 10 is proving us wrong. Next month all versions of Windows both server and desktop will be one cumulative patch?! Also, I am very close to downgrading back to Windows 8.1. Windows 10 breaks ALOT. More than Linux now.
This past month I have seen PowerShell DSC, nested Hyper-V virtualization, update at a later time, and AMD Crimson drivers all break with updates. Thank God I bought the pro to differ updates ( it was off which is my fault). But if I have one and I mean one showstopper I am going back and will migrate to the crappy and no longer made VMware workstation I under 8.1
Ubuntu LTS hopefully shouldn't have these surprises and I may go there if kms/qemu supports nested virtualization for my mcse labs
http://saveie6.com/
Riiight, and if you need a part for your Chevy here is some iron ore, you CAN smelt iron...right?
That analogy is for hardware not software. Anyway, why would I want to buy a Chevy in the first place?
And people wonder why MSFT can put out 3 stinkers in a row and get more users in a fricking week than Linux has gotten for their desktop in 22 years
Since you are talking about the Desktop you are quite correct but do you really stop and ask why?
I supposed you have never heard of what most people in the IT industry call the "Microsoft Tax" and the fact that most people think that a PC, tablet or "smart phone" are a commodity and could not care less about the operating system and the underlying kernel. Actually my bad I probably should not have used "smart phones" as an example since most (over 80%) have a Linux kernel.
Riddle me this oh wise one...which do you think would be cheaper, hire an entire fucking kernel development team just to get support beyond 5 years, or pay $200 for a copy of Windows Pro and get 10 years of support?
Well if you had enterprise systems you can pay Microsoft for support if you have MS Windows OS's or you could pay Redhat for Linux 10 year support and at least you get a professional engineer rather than someone who just says "press the reset button".
So you have Windows XP but do you really have the original Windows XP? You should know that three service packs have been released in addition to multiple updates with the kernel being updated many times as well and the only way you will get support is if you have the latest service pack and the later updates. This concept actually applies to all software be it kernel or applications.
BTW. Windows XP - released August 24, 2001 with end of mainstream support April 14, 2009 - not quite 10 years although to be fair extended support was to April 8, 2014.
The bottom line is software normally gets updated over time "get over it".
There ain't no such thing as proprietary standards only proprietary formats. Standards are by definition open.
why wouldn't they, they have supported every other OS for the last 20 odd years to "at least" the advertised EOL, many have received extensions beyond that.
Ok explain the next October update for server 2012 R2 is all or nothing which breaks apps as it includes +110 other updates just to fix one security whole?
No you can't pick and choose hence cumulative
http://saveie6.com/
"Well, an iron ingot is easier to obtain than ore"
Not true. You can grab dry land just about anywhere and you'll likely have iron oxide (an ore of iron) right there. How much dry land out there will allow youto just reach down and grab an iron ingot?
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
Anyway, why would I want to buy a Chevy in the first place?
Because it's not a Ford, of course!
Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
You'd think so, but in reality, that's not quite true: Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000, both stopped getting security patches before their EOL.
Ahhh...the great dumpster continuum. Many a free computer will be found there. -- sowth (748135)
Umm... security?
If it's a system disconnected from the world with no incoming data possible whatsoever (though I would like to know what the system is good for, then), ok. In all other cases, running an ancient system is probably flirting with disaster.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Some time ago, I took a shit and now we have a software store in Win10. Coincidence? Correlation? Diarrhea?
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
It's a pity, for this last release, then didn't break with the numbering convention and just jump to 3.14.159...
You handle it just like you would any other update. You put it through your testing pipeline, see what breaks, determine whether you can deploy workarounds or compensating measures for any outstanding defects, and make a final business decision on whether you can proceed to production. If the end result is "nope, we can't deploy this," it's probably time to reevaluate the suitability of that operating system with regard to your business use case. -PCP
The bullshit is strong with this one.
Linux is a kernel, not an OS. With windows, you don't know how long your kernel will be maintained for. They don't tell you, and it gets updated every so often. Who cares?
If you want to know how long your OS is updated for, then, um, look at how long the vendor says it's updated for. For example Ubuntu LTS is updated for 5 years. Redhat Enterprise gets 10 years of support.
And unlike Linux, Windows still supports old hardware like 32 bit systems.
Except, you know, Linux does. Oh And Linux supports those bits of old hardware on 64 bit systems too. And it supports that same hardware from ARM systems too. Does windows do that?
There's no reason to replace a system that's working just fine, but that's what your forced to do when developers just randomly decide that it's time to stop maintaining a version of Linux.
If you're too thick to read your OS's page about maintenance so a predictable 5 years is random to you, then yes, perhaps a Linux based OS is not the OS for you.
SJW n. One who posts facts.
Riiight, and if you need a part for your Chevy here is some iron ore, you CAN smelt iron...right?
Well, sure you can if you like, but you'd probably be better off hiring a mechanic like the rest of us. Or, you know, pick a distro with 10 years support if you want that sort of thing.
SJW n. One who posts facts.
Trolling, ignorant or spreading FUD? Don't know, and frankly, I don't know if I care.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Not really, you're just misunderstanding the whole linux kernel ecosystem.
Unless you're running a plain vanilla 3.14 kernel, this just plain does not affect you.
Most users will be using a distro kernel, and it's the distribution that has the responsibility to maintain their kernel versions, which they will still do.
For example, RHEL 5 still gets security updates until March next year, and runs kernel 2.6.18 (originally released in 2006).
I'm sorry, but your entire post both misses the point, and comes off as a load of rambling twaddle.
Liar! Nobody ever finishes compiling a kernel, the moment it is done, the moment it is outdated!
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
No they will not fully support Windows 7 until the advertised EOL. At least not on Kaby Lake processors, which are due out in a few months. Windows 7 will not be officially supported on Kaby Lake at all. Windows 7 is only supported to the advertised EOL if you continue to run it on pre-Kaby-Lake CPUs.
Thus many corporates have had to adjust their plans to keep running Windows 7.
I run the latest Skylake chipset and my Z170 motherboard only supports Windows 8.and 10 as well as "other OS" which works fine with my Linux (Fedora 23 and now 24) distribution. Even Mint works flawlessly in a virtual machine. I also have Windows 10 genuine malware edition which you can get here also in a virtual machine, however I don't like the way it likes to talk on the internet (Wireshark is your friend here) even though I have locked down the system, hence I don't run it.
There ain't no such thing as proprietary standards only proprietary formats. Standards are by definition open.
Sigh....let me spell it out FUCK WINDOWS 10, its nothing but spyware.
Stick with Windows 7 or 8.1, your choice. 8.1 gets updates until 2023 (if you really care about that sort of thing, I've found if you have the browser sandboxed and ads blocked patches are pointless as no bug is gonna get anywhere, I have even gone out of my way to try to infect a newly installed RTM Win 7 without a single patch installed...nothing) and by that time Nutella will be history and hopefully the next guy will actually right the ship.
And if you have to have Win 10? Wait 6 months and get the pirate version, AKA the "Gamer Edition". There is already a Gamer edition of 8.1 out there that strips out the appstore and other crap and it flies, there really is no point in Windows 10, its a POS. Oh and if you want to know WHY its a POS? Look up Barnacles Nerdgasm's "I was fired" video on YouTube, he was part of the QA team and he talks about how the ENTIRE Windows QA and tester teams were FIRED...why did they do that? Because YOU Mr Sucker who uses Windows 10 are the alpha tester!
MSFT has made it clear the only version they give a fuck about is Win 10 Enterprise, the one you have to rent. Windows 10 Home is the alpha, with no way to even postpone all the buggy code they puke on it, Windows 10 Pro is the beta, still buggy as fuck but at least they can delay long enough for the Home users to get shat all over and see which bits get cleaned off, and Win 10 Enterprise is the actual OS, where you have the same level of control and quality they had on previous releases.
So the choice is clear....either you pay $7 a month for eternity for Win 10 Enterprise or you stick with a previous version, I myself as well as my customers will be doing the latter and counting the days until Nutella gets his walking papers. Oh and nobody will ever give a shit about Ubuntu as their programs won't run on it and mark my words, HTML V5 will have enough baked in DRM that nobody will be able to watch shit on Linux which I predict will be relegated to crap like the R-Pi as Secureboot and the new AMD and Intel APUs having proprietary features like HDCP baked into the core of the chip will make Linux go back another decade.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
I'm sick of all my Android devices running woefully outdated kernels. Get on it!
How in hell do I avoid shell shock, ransomware, but still no releases bringing in bugs all at the same time??
Proper change management and deployment processes, with integrated automated testing (including security auditing/validation)
8 hours of sleep a night, belief in the power of prayer, and probiotics, and a good account with your psychic friend helps too.
The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
If the end result is "nope, we can't deploy this," it's probably time to reevaluate the suitability of that operating system with regard to your business use case. -PCP
This is just precious. Next explain how you, the erstwhile IT guy, goes about telling the people who decided long ago that they were going to go with the gold standard of the industry, Microsoft - that they have to change their Operating system.
I've related my Vista OS support nightmare many times in here. It involves experts, a shitload of wasted money, dismissals, horrible infighting, and eventual desperation. And an ultimatum by yours truly to fix the system, or wallow in the shithole they put themselves in - which indeed involved a different OS. Your nice clean everyone working in harmonious harmony and blissful coexistence is a nice story, brah. I fear that my experience is not all that unusual.
The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
The kernel maintainers always announce the expected EOL date when they announce a new LTS kernel. This wasn't randomly decided. It was known for years in advance by people who, unlike you, know what they're talking about.
Despite what EULAs say, most software is sold, not licensed.
Oh that's easy, just walk into a trailer park and you'll easily find some iron scrap sitting around. Sure, it's not an ingot, but who cares? It'll do what you want.
Long term Hairy that is not a good solution as 78.1 also will be updated the same way. Eventually Windows 7 will go EOL in a few 3 short years.
AMD/Intel will only work with Windows 10 in the newer chips coming out and the world moves on. Of course you can help upgrade which makes you more money at your shop :-)
I think Linux LTS might be the only way to go or a Mac if the user really needs Adobe, auto cad, or Office which is what is tying them to win32. I hope MS does improve QA as they desperately need it. I am on the MCSE path again so I need to be in Microsoft land as my job and employers expect me to be a AD/Azure expert. But not every user knows how to configure KMS/Qemu virutalization and it is silly that geeks here say that users would prefer this .... but my point hairy if theri system bricks with a bad driver update every other month they may reconsider this crazy approach so they have a working system on older hardware or go all Mac.
http://saveie6.com/
This is just precious. Next explain how you, the erstwhile IT guy, goes about telling the people who decided long ago that they were going to go with the gold standard of the industry, Microsoft - that they have to change their Operating system.
Easy, in a way they can understand. This would include risk assessments, cost : benefit ratios, short / medium term benefit : inevitable data breach cost ratios, and if necessary lots of pretty charts and graphs if words are too hard for your upper echelon to understand. And documentation that you actually both made the suggestions, and gave detailed data on what could and probably will happen in the case of them not taking suggestions in case they still decide not to follow their IT teams advice, just to cover your own ass to even higher management infrastructure.
In short, explain it in terms of money.
Anyone who CAN'T make a compelling case in IT probably shouldn't be in IT.
To err is human; effective mayhem requires the root password!
This is just precious. Next explain how you, the erstwhile IT guy, goes about telling the people who decided long ago that they were going to go with the gold standard of the industry, Microsoft - that they have to change their Operating system.
Easy, in a way they can understand.
And when after your logical impressive and factual presentation, you are told "We are an institution that uses Windows, because it is the industry standard, and we will continue to use the industry standard. You can go now".
One of my favorite industry standard moments was years ago, when we had a Video Toaster demo for the entire organization. In the day, the toaster of course, ran on the Amiga platform. After wowing the crowd, one of the head honchos said "We have to have this, but it has to be on the Microsoft PC". The guy demoing it said, sorry, the Video Toaster only runs on the Amiga platform."
Suit says "I don't think you understand. We need this device badly, but we are a Microsoft organization, so you have to sell us Video Toasters that run on PC's."
The demo guy opens his mouth to say something then thinks better of it, then pauses for a minute, and says "We'll work on it." Suit was happy, Demo guy had a incredible asshole story to tell at HQ.
I was in a different group, had some more power, and just bought a Toaster system. But the rest of them couldn't, and were stuck with what they had until non-linear editing arrived, because when you are an industry standard Operating System place, it doesn't matter what you present.
The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
ummm both of those confirm it not dispute it. NT 4.0 EOL was 2004. Windows 2000 EOL'ed in 2010 and received security patches till then.
Read again, they refused to make security patches for certain flaws because "it was deemed too much work". That is not "receiving security patches until EOL".
Ahhh...the great dumpster continuum. Many a free computer will be found there. -- sowth (748135)
NO PATCHES ARE NEEDED, what is so hard to understand? Or do you think black helicopters are gonna sneak in to your house and attack your unpatched system?
I went out of my way to TRY to get an RTM Win 7 system infected...we're talking topsites, crack sites, porn sites, your "watch the latest movies now!" sites, malware infested sites all and...nothing. Zip zero nada squat. So why should I give a shit if Win 7 or 8.1 goes EOL, which again I'm betting Nutella will be FIRED before that date rolls around?
If you want to take the Goatse pose so MSFT can fist you? That is your choice, but if they want MY data? PAY ME. MSFT don't give shit away for free and neither do I, and the same goes to Google and Yahoo, want that data? Cut me a check. Privacy badger makes sure nobody gets shit I don't get paid for and I don't give a rat's ass what MSFT says
As for the new CPUs? I don't use APUs and I haven't seen a single program yet that even requires advanced CPU instructions that are only supported on Win 7, much less 8.1 or 10 so again I smell bullshit. Remember they said the same about DirectX, everyone would have to switch to Vista because of DirectX, remember? what happened? developers saw they would be cutting more than half the market out so other than MSFT's own Halo everyone kept right on supporting DX9 until Win 7 came out and was popular.
Ultimately I believe the market will back me up and come 2020 MSFT will just have to start popping that snooze alarm on Win 7 because Win 10, like Win 8 before it, simply isn't gonna be popular enough to take the majority slot. Its too buggy, too ugly, and even grandma's know its malware infested. Hell I have made more uninstalling Win 10 on new systems than I did on Win 8 and that is saying something. But history I believe will put Win 10 into the same "wow that was shit" camp that Vista and 8 are in and once Nutella is shown the door they will have no choice but to make a decent OS, that or give the money back to the shareholders and call it a day because everyone will have left for Google or Apple. Hell its gotten so bad I've seen Win 10 tablets for $60 at Fred's, they just can't give the things away because nobody wants win 10.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.