LTS

LTS stands for Long-Term Support. It is a release model used by various software projects in which a specific version receives extended maintenance and security updates for a defined period after its initial release. The purpose of LTS is to provide a stable, predictable platform for users who prioritize reliability and stability over rapid introduction of new features, such as enterprises and long-running deployments.

Lifecycle and maintenance: An LTS release typically has a defined support window that can span several years. During this period, the vendor or project provides security updates, bug fixes, and sometimes backported stability improvements. After the end of the support window, the release reaches end-of-life and no further official updates are provided. Users are generally encouraged to upgrade to a newer LTS or a supported release before or at EOL.

Differences from regular releases: Regular releases introduce new features and improvements on a shorter cadence and usually have shorter support lifecycles. LTS releases emphasize backward compatibility, stability, and tested integration, often with less frequent but more thoroughly vetted updates. This makes LTS suitable for systems where change risk must be minimized.

Examples: Ubuntu LTS releases (such as 20.04 LTS and 22.04 LTS) are supported with extended security and maintenance updates for five years. Other ecosystems, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, offer long lifecycles tied to commercial support. Debian also maintains an LTS initiative for extended security support on selected releases.

Considerations: Organizations weighing LTS versus non-LTS options consider factors such as vendor or community support, ecosystem compatibility, hardware and software compatibility, and upgrade planning. Clear upgrade paths and monitoring for end-of-life timelines are important for maintaining security and compliance.