linux-kernel - Re: 5.10 LTS Kernel: 2 or 6 years?

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Date:   Mon, 22 Feb 2021 15:24:30 +0100
From:   Greg Kroah-Hartman <gregkh@...uxfoundation.org>
To:     Nishanth Aravamudan <naravamudan@...italocean.com>
Cc:     Scott Branden <scott.branden@...adcom.com>,
        BCM Kernel Feedback <bcm-kernel-feedback-list@...adcom.com>,
        LKML <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>,
        Linux ARM <linux-arm-kernel@...ts.infradead.org>,
        cgardner@...italocean.com, pmccormick@...italocean.com
Subject: Re: 5.10 LTS Kernel: 2 or 6 years?

On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 08:00:52AM -0600, Nishanth Aravamudan wrote:
> Hi Greg,
> 
> On 26.01.2021 [08:29:25 +0100], Greg Kroah-Hartman wrote:
> > On Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 11:55:11AM -0800, Scott Branden wrote:
> > > Hi All,
> > > 
> > > The 5.10 LTS kernel being officially LTS supported for 2 years
> > > presents a problem: why would anyone select a 5.10 kernel with 2
> > > year LTS when 5.4 kernel has a 6 year LTS.
> 
> <snip>
> 
> > > If 5.10 is "actually" going to be supported for 6 years it would be
> > > quite valuable to make such a declaration.
> > > https://www.kernel.org/category/releases.html
> > 
> > Why?  What would that change?
> > 
> > Ok, seriously, this happens every year, and every year we go through
> > the same thing, it's not like this is somehow new, right?
> > 
> > I want to see companies _using_ the kernel, and most importantly,
> > _updating_ their devices with it, to know if it is worth to keep
> > around for longer than 2 years.  I also, hopefully, want to see how
> > those companies will help me out in the testing and maintenance of
> > that kernel version in order to make supporting it for 6 years
> > actually possible.
> > 
> > So, are you planning on using 5.10?  Will you will be willing to help
> > out in testing the -rc releases I make to let me know if there are any
> > problems, and to help in pointing out and backporting any specific
> > patches that your platforms need for that kernel release?
> > 
> > When I get this kind of promises and support from companies, then I am
> > glad to bump up the length of the kernel support from 2 to 6 years,
> > and I mark it on the web site.  Traditionally this happens in
> > Febuary/March once I hear from enough companies.  Can I count on your
> > support in this endeavor?
> 
> I am very sorry for the long delay on my end (I had privately e-mailed
> Greg on January 28) -- DigitalOcean also intends to provide feedback and
> testing on the 5.10 series. We intend to use it as the basis for our
> next-next kernel and are very invested in ensuring the stability and
> performance of the kernel.

Great!  If you need me to add your cc: to the -rc release announcements
so that you have an easy email to respond to, just let me know and I can
do so.

Any ideas when the testing will start happening?  There's a 5.10-rc
release out there right now if you want to start today :)

thanks,

greg k-h