With the recent release of Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron), a lot of hype was generated (Overhype or well-deserved, that’s for another post). One of the main highlights of all the stories, news and reviews doing the rounds are that this is an LTS version. But many people, mostly those who are new to Ubuntu, and even a few who are already using it, are not sure what LTS really means.
Literally expanded, it stands for Long Term Support. Yeah right, but what does it actually mean. Does it mean I’ll keep getting updates till eternity or what? The explanation is quite simple really.
Long Term: What it means is that while a normal non-LTS is supported for 18 months, an LTS version will be supported for 3 years or 36 months (and 5 years for the server version).
Support: Now, don’t just jump into downloading it and installing on reading the long term part. This DOES NOT mean that you’ll continue getting newer versions of favourite software packages till that time. This only means that you’ll continue getting “security updates” for 3 (or 5) years. What’s the difference, some might ask, as they think that the newest version of a software is the most secure. However it is not so. A newer version may bring more features, but also more code to become vulnerable to bugs.
So, in a nutshell, to understand the situation, let’s take an example. If Hardy has a software X with version 1.3, and after 2 years the software moves to version 2.5, you’ll not be able to get version 2.5 from the hardy repositories but a version “1.x-ubuntuy”, which will have all the security and major bug fixes for that software, but not the new features that you might see in later versions.
I just did this post so that people don’t jump into it by getting a wrong impression about LTS and later on be disappointed on learning the fact. So, now you can make an informed decision.
[tags]Ubuntu, LTS, Long Term Support, security updates, updates, non-LTS, server, 3 years, 5 years, 18 months[/tags]
Thanks for the info buddy!
What about the backports repositories? Are they not provided so that LTS versions can obtain the newest, stable versions of software?
@Michael: Backports are “unsupported” updates and are generally labelled as “Use at your own risk”. Moreover, they are not maintained for all the packages in the other repositories, only for the most popular ones and are not “gauranteed” to provided backports for any package, even if it is _the_ most popular one. Moreover, they do not receive patches from the official security team.
[...] a post here outlines the technical meaning of an LTS. Basically, LTSs are supported with updates for longer. [...]
The other thing is that hardware support is not guaranteed. There is no guarantee that the LTS will support new hardware.
I am an LTS user. I don’t want to be re-installing on an office machine every six months. You get it how you like it (& if I didn’t I wouldn’t ‘buntu) and you use it to get on with the work.
Guy,
You don’t need to reinstall Ubuntu. Upgrading just works.
What upgrading really means is that you do accept the new versions of software and the update repositories.
@ Marcos
The re-install is because I am on dial up & use CD’s.
Also, with respect, I feel why bother with a dist-upgrade when I don’t need the latest & greatest. If it all works fine (which it does!) is secure and does the job, I think my resources are better spent getting on with the work.
That ‘buntu box is a little powerhouse :0) I can just get on with everything for the next two and a half years without having to bother.
Guy,
I did my upgrade while disconnected. Just download the Alternative CD and you can upgrade while disconnected. But if you really don’t need the new software, or new hardware and so, then it is better to stay at Hardy. This is what LTS is for, anyway.
Guy, keep on using that LTS. That’s what it’s for. I’ll stay with it until 9.05 at-least. There’s not enough incentive for me to upgrade or re-install at this time. The LTS is a great path for those who have a working system that does what they need it to do and stay secure.
@Bebop: Exactly. This post is not meant to discourage people from using the LTS releases but just to make them aware so that they don’t start using it under wrong assumptions and then later leave disgruntled when they realize it is different from what they thought.
I used Dapper, I’m using Hardy. I love to tinker with Linux,sometimes to destruction (Dont ask …..) but it is the one installation I set up & then leave alone. Experience has taught me that this is good practice.
Hello,
It is also worth to remember that LTS has a defined set of packages officially supported by Canonical. Not all packages available in the various repositories are supported.
At the https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ServerFaq
You will follow links to give a rough idea:
Canonical supports at Ubuntu Dapper Desktop LTS around 741 packages.
http://people.ubuntu.com/~ubuntu-archive/seeds/ubuntu.dapper/supported
The Ubuntu Dapper Server LTS is supported at around 206 packages.
http://people.ubuntu.com/~ubuntu-archive/seeds/ubuntu-server.dapper/server
Not all “main” repository is even supported at long term.
None of “universe” or “multiverse” repository contents are supported.
One must know what is the scope before choosing a LTS version.
Regards.
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What about the other version ( No LTS Support ) ??!
I love Ubuntu