In a surprising move, Canonical has announced a temporary halt on shipping stable release updates (SRUs) for the Linux kernel in Ubuntu. The pause on Ubuntu Kernel Update will last until early October 2024, with the exception of critical security issues and bugs. Given Ubuntu’s widespread use in enterprises, servers, and cloud environments, this delay has raised some eyebrows.
The reason behind this decision is a “critical infrastructure change” that Canonical must address. According to Roxana Nicolescu from Canonical, the SRU cycle scheduled for September 2, 2024, will be skipped. The focus will be on ensuring a smooth and stable transition during this period.
Nicolescu explained, “We will be skipping the SRU cycle 2024.09.02 due to a critical infrastructure change. This adjustment will allow us to focus on ensuring a smooth and stable transition. Our next SRU cycle will start when the infrastructure is back online. The current estimation is at the beginning of October. Once we know more details, we will let you know the exact date.”
During this break, Canonical is committed to delivering updates only for critical security issues and bugs if necessary. This approach prioritizes the security and stability of Ubuntu systems, especially in mission-critical environments.
Key Timelines to Remember: #
- Current SRU Cycle: 2024.08.05 (08.05 → Week of 09.02)
- Next Security Cycle: 2024.08.05 (09.02 → Week of 09.16)
- Break Period: 09.16 → Beginning of October
Canonical’s decision underscores their commitment to ensuring that infrastructure changes are handled with care, minimizing risks to users. While the delay might cause some inconvenience, the focus remains on delivering a secure and stable operating system.
Stay tuned for further updates as Canonical provides more details on the resumption of the SRU cycle.
