From fe9254b333fc04d99e10e31ac40ea3dd96b008a5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jev Forsberg <46619047+baldm0mma@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2025 07:24:07 -0600 Subject: [PATCH] Chore: Update release strategy docs (#104488) * baldm0mma/ update release docs * baldm0mma/ run prettier * baldm0mma/ change back apostrophies * baldm0mma/ update to or * baldm0mma/ revert characters --- .../upgrade-guide/when-to-upgrade/index.md | 89 +++++++++++++------ 1 file changed, 60 insertions(+), 29 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/sources/upgrade-guide/when-to-upgrade/index.md b/docs/sources/upgrade-guide/when-to-upgrade/index.md index 4c6f9602f04..0a464e96f5d 100644 --- a/docs/sources/upgrade-guide/when-to-upgrade/index.md +++ b/docs/sources/upgrade-guide/when-to-upgrade/index.md @@ -46,22 +46,30 @@ We provide release documentation in multiple places to address different needs: ## When to expect releases -Currently, Grafana is on a monthly release cycle. Here’s a look at scheduled releases for the first half of 2025: +Currently, Grafana is on a monthly release cycle. Here’s a look at scheduled releases for 2025: -| **Anticipated release date** | **Grafana versions** | **Release type** | -| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ---------------- | -| Jan. 28, 2025 | 11.5 & Supported versions | Minor & patching | -| Feb. 18, 2025 | Supported versions | Patching | -| March 25, 2025 | 11.6 & Supported versions | Minor & patching | -| April 15, 2025 | Supported versions | Patching | -| May 5, 2025 | Grafana 12.0 & Supported versions | Major & patching | +| **Release date** | **Grafana versions** | **Release type** | +| ---------------- | ------------------------- | ---------------- | +| Jan. 28, 2025 | 11.5 & Supported versions | Minor & patching | +| Feb. 18, 2025 | Supported versions | Patching | +| March 25, 2025 | 11.6 & Supported versions | Minor & patching | +| April 23, 2025 | Supported versions | Patching | +| May 5, 2025 | Grafana 12.0 | Major only | +| May 20, 2025 | Supported versions | Patching | +| June 17, 2025 | Supported versions | Patching | +| July 22, 2025 | 12.1 & Supported versions | Minor & patching | +| Aug. 12, 2025 | Supported versions | Patching | +| Sept. 23, 2025 | 12.2 & Supported versions | Minor & patching | +| Oct. 21, 2025 | Supported versions | Patching | +| Nov. 18, 2025 | 12.3 & Supported versions | Minor & patching | +| Dec. 16, 2025 | Supported versions | Patching | ### A few important notes - The schedule above outlines how we plan release dates. However, unforeseen events and circumstances may cause dates to change. - High severity security and feature degradation incidents will result in ad-hoc releases that are not scheduled ahead of time. - Patching releases are for the current (last released) minor version of Grafana. Additional older versions of Grafana may be included if there is a critical bug or security vulnerability that needs to be patched. -- Release freezes: Each year Grafana implements two release freezes to accommodate for the holiday season, these dates will be announced as the holiday season approaches. During these times, no scheduled releases will be executed. However, this does not apply to changes that may be required during the course of an operational or security incident. +- Release freezes: Each year Grafana implements two release freezes to accommodate for the holiday season. During these times, no scheduled releases will be executed. However, this does not apply to changes that may be required during the course of an operational or security incident. ## Grafana security releases: improved version naming convention @@ -81,34 +89,57 @@ This naming convention should make it easier to identify security updates and th ## What to know about version support -Self-managed Grafana users have control over when they upgrade to a new version of Grafana. To help you make an informed decision about whether it's time to upgrade, it’s important that you understand the level of support provided for your current version. +Self-managed Grafana users have control over when they upgrade to a new version of Grafana. To help you make an informed decision about whether it’s time to upgrade, it’s important that you understand the level of support provided for your current version. -For self-managed Grafana (both Enterprise and OSS), the support for versions is as follows: +For self-managed Grafana (both Enterprise and OSS), the support for versions follows these rules: -- Support for each minor release extends to nine months after the release date. -- Support for the last minor release of a major version is extended an additional six months, for a total of 15 months of support after the release date. +- Each minor release is supported for 9 months after its release date +- The last minor release of a major version receives extended support for 15 months after its release date +- Support levels change as new versions are released: + - **Full Support**: The most recently released major/minor (and the last minor of the previous major) version receive full support including new features, bug fixes, and security patches + - **Security & Critical Bugs Only**: Versions that are not the most recently released major/minor (or the last minor of the previous major) version, but still within their support period, receive only security patches and critical bug fixes + - **Not Supported**: Versions beyond their support period receive no updates -Here is an overview of projected version support through 2025: +Here is an overview of version support through 2026: -| **Version** | **Release date** | **Support end of life (EOL)** | -| ----------------------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------- | -| 10.4 (Last minor of 10) | March 2024 | June 2025 (extended support) | -| 11.0 | May 2024 | NO LONGER SUPPORTED as of February 2025 | -| 11.1 | June 2024 | NO LONGER SUPPORTED as of March 2025 | -| 11.2 | August 2024 | May 2025 | -| 11.3 | October 2024 | July 2025 | -| 11.4 | December 2024 | September 2025 | -| 11.5 | January 2025 | October 2025 | -| 11.6 (Last minor of 11) | March 2025 | June 2026 | -| 12.0 | May 2025 | January 2026 | +| **Version** | **Release date** | **Support end date** | **Support level** | +| ------------------------- | ------------------ | -------------------- | ----------------------------- | +| 9.5.x (Last minor of 9) | April 26, 2023 | July 26, 2024 | Supported for Azure Only | +| 10.0.x | June 13, 2023 | March 13, 2024 | Not Supported | +| 10.1.x | August 22, 2023 | May 22, 2024 | Not Supported | +| 10.2.x | October 24, 2023 | July 24, 2024 | Not Supported | +| 10.3.x | January 23, 2024 | October 23, 2024 | Not Supported | +| 10.4.x (Last minor of 10) | March 5, 2024 | June 5, 2025 | Security & Critical Bugs Only | +| 11.0.x | May 14, 2024 | February 14, 2025 | Security & Critical Bugs Only | +| 11.1.x | June 25, 2024 | April 23, 2025 | Security & Critical Bugs Only | +| 11.2.x | August 27, 2024 | May 27, 2025 | Security & Critical Bugs Only | +| 11.3.x | October 22, 2024 | July 22, 2025 | Security & Critical Bugs Only | +| 11.4.x | December 5, 2024 | September 5, 2025 | Security & Critical Bugs Only | +| 11.5.x | January 28, 2025 | October 28, 2025 | Security & Critical Bugs Only | +| 11.6.x (Last minor of 11) | March 25, 2025 | May 25, 2026 | Full Support | +| 12.0.x | May 5, 2025 | February 5, 2026 | Full Support until next minor | +| 12.1.x | July 22, 2025 | April 22, 2026 | Full Support until next minor | +| 12.2.x | September 23, 2025 | June 23, 2026 | Full Support until next minor | +| 12.3.x | November 18, 2025 | August 18, 2026 | Full Support until next minor | ## How are these versions supported? -The level of support changes as new versions of Grafana are released. Here are a few details to keep in mind: +The level of support changes as new versions of Grafana are released. Here are the key details: -- The current (most recently released) version of Grafana gets the highest level of support. Releases for this version include all the new features along with all bug fixes. -- All supported versions receive security patches for vulnerabilities impacting that version. -- All supported versions receive patches for bugs that cause critical feature degradation incidents. +- **Full Support**: + + - All new features + - All bug fixes + - Security patches + - Regular updates + +- **Security & Critical Bugs Only**: + + - Security vulnerability patches + - Critical bug fixes that cause feature degradation + - No new features + +- **Not Supported**: Versions beyond their support period receive no updates and should be upgraded. Keeping all this in mind, users that want to receive the most recent features and all bug fixes should be on the current (most recently released) version of Grafana.