What is EOL and why does it matter?

An unsupported operating system is a ticking time bomb.

Linux kernels, libraries, and packages are no longer getting updated when a Linux distribution enters into an end-of-life state. It puts your servers, your data, and your business at risk of a cyberattack.

But, there is good news.

You can easily and safely stay compliant with Extended Lifecycle Support services from CloudLinux. We will help you buy the time you need to migrate to a supported operating system or upgrade to the newest version of your current Linux flavor.

We’ve always been there for you, and you can expect that same continued support through the end of life of your current system.

What should you know about the EOL for CentOS7?

CentOS 7 continues to live today supporting millions of workloads. But, sadly, all good things come to an end. No more security updates after June 2024 could be a disaster for you, but CloudLinux has your back.

CloudLinux is already providing extended lifecycle support for CentOS 6 and 8 – CentOS 7 isn’t far behind. When the EOL comes, you won’t feel a thing.

What is included in Extended Lifecycle Support?

Currently available for CentOS 6 and CentOS 8. ELS for CentOS 7 is coming soon.

What exactly is covered by Extended Lifecycle Support services?

Extended Lifecycle Support services provide updated security patches for:

• The Linux kernel
• Common shared libraries like glibc, openssh, openssl, and zlib. httpd, mysql, php.
• Userspace packages.
• Other packages, including: acl, acpid, at, attr, audit, authconfig, basesystem, bash, bc, blktrace, bridge-utils, busybox, bzip2, crash, cyrus-imapd, cyrus-sasl, db4-utils, device-mapper, dhclient, dhcpv6, dmidecode, dos2unix, dovecot, ed, gcc, gd, gdb, glib2, groff, info, Iptstate, logrotate, lslk, lvm2, makedev, nfs4-acl-tools, nfs-utils, nspr, ntp, opensp, pam, perl, procmail, procps, python, rcs, rds-tools, rhnlib, rsync, rsyslog, setroubleshoot, setserial, setup, sos, stunnel, tzdata, vim, wget, yum-metadata-parser, yum-rhn-plugin

What distributions are supported?

We currently support CentOS 6, CentOS 7, CentOS 8, Oracle Linux 6, and Ubuntu 16.04. If you have a specific use case for a distribution that is not yet supported, get in touch with us and we’ll see if we can help you keep your unique systems running smoothly and safely.

How is Extended Lifecycle Support implemented?

Applying our Extended Lifecycle Support service only requires running a single command that changes the location of key repositories. Full implementation instructions are provided when your servers are registered with TuxCare.

How much does Extended Lifecycle Support cost?

The pricing starts from $4.25/month per Operating System Image (OSI) with a 10% discount if you opt for an annual subscription. Volume discounts and bundle pricing is available, so contact the TuxCare team today to find out the best pricing for your organization.

Do you have a process of testing updates before rolling out a patch?

Before each package goes into the production repository, we run extensive testing to verify that our updates have zero unintended consequences. We also maintain a stable beta repository that we use for testing.

Do I have to perform any complex installation tasks to switch to Extended Lifecycle Support services from my current update mechanism?

The installation is completed through a simple script that exchanges your current, no longer maintained, repositories for TuxCare’s ELS repositories. Your system will continue receiving updates just as it did up to that point, using exactly the same tools and commands, but now directly from TuxCare.

How long does the Extended Lifecycle Support service last?

Extended Lifecycle Support service varies depending on the Linux OS that you are covering with extended support. Commonly, you can expect Extended Lifecycle Support to last for at least three years – for example, at the time of writing, CentOS 6 Extended Lifecycle Support support lasts until November 2024.

Will there be any disruption or downtime when I enable Extended Lifecycle Support?

No. You are not migrating your operating system or making any changes to the way your workload is handled. Enabling Extended Lifecycle Support involves a single command that changes the location of repositories. There is no reboot, downtime, disruption of operations, or degradation of server performance.

How often are patches released?

TuxCare continuously monitors critical Linux kernel vulnerabilities and security concerns associated with the OS covered by your Extended Lifecycle Support contract. We release patches for security risks and general maintenance issues as soon as they are completed and tested.

Is there a process for manually updating patches?

KernelCare Enterprise will automatically apply our patches live in memory while your systems are in operation. However, if you prefer to patch manually, you can simply continue to do so using yum as you normally would.