[asterisk-dev] Asterisk Release Schedule

[Russell Bryant]

Greetings,

This document discusses proposed changes to Asterisk release policy.  I
look forward to your feedback!

Thanks,


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                       Asterisk Release Schedule

                    Copyright (c) 2009, Digium, Inc.
                          All Rights Reserved.

                         Document Version: 0.5
                        Last Updated: 2009-10-07

          Asterisk Development Team <asteriskteam at digium.com>


   Table of Contents

   1. Introduction
   2. Release Types
   2.1. Standard
   2.2. Long Term Support (LTS)
   3. Release Numbering Scheme
   4. Release Schedule


                            1. Introduction

   This document discusses an updated release schedule for the
   Asterisk project. Previously, release schedules for a given
   Asterisk release series have been handled on a case by case basis.
   Instead, we will now have defined time frames for how long a
   release series will be maintained. We also introduce the concept
   of a release type, which will dictate how long a release series
   will be maintained. Changes to the numbering scheme of Asterisk
   releases are discussed, as well.


                            2. Release Types

   Each release series will be specified as one of two types. There
   are Standard releases, and Long Term Support (LTS) releases. A
   release series is feature frozen. Full maintenance of a release
   series means that there will be updates that include general bug
   fixes. Security only maintenance means that a release series will
   only be updated to address important security related issues.

2.1. Standard

   Standard releases are maintained for one year from their release
   date. Once the year is complete, the release series will be
   covered with security fixes only for one additional year.

2.2. Long Term Support (LTS)

   Long Term Support releases will be maintained for four years after
   being released. After the four years are complete, the release
   series will be covered for security fixes only for one additional
   year.


                      3. Release Numbering Scheme

   The Asterisk 1.6.X releases have played out differently than
   originally envisioned. The time between each 1.6.X release has
   been longer than expected, and the number of significant changes
   to the code has been quite high in each version. So, to better
   reflect the reality of what each new feature release contains,
   there will be no 1.6.3. Instead, the next feature release will be
   Asterisk 1.8.

   The numbering scheme can be interpreted as:

   <Concept>.<Feature>.<Minor>[.Patch]

     * Concept - Something close to a complete rewrite would be
       required to increase this number.

     * Feature - An update to this number indicates an update to the
       major feature set.

     * Minor - This number reflects an update with bug fixes only.

     * Patch - This number will be optionally used to reflect trivial
       changes to a patch release. This is most often used for
       security updates.


                          4. Release Schedule

   The following table shows the release schedule for all existing
   Asterisk releases, as well as the schedule for the next planned
   release.

   +----------------------------------------------------------------+
   | Release | Release  | Release    | Security Fix    | EOL        |
   | Series  | Type     | Date       | Only            |            |
   |---------+----------+------------+-----------------+------------|
   | 1.2.X   |          | 2005-11-21 | 2007-08-07      | 2010-11-21 |
   |---------+----------+------------+-----------------+------------|
   | 1.4.X   | LTS      | 2006-12-23 | 2010-12-23      | 2011-12-23 |
   |---------+----------+------------+-----------------+------------|
   | 1.6.0.X | Standard | 2008-10-01 | 2010-04-01 ***  | 2010-10-01 |
   |         |          |            |                 | ***        |
   |---------+----------+------------+-----------------+------------|
   | 1.6.1.X | Standard | 2009-04-27 | 2010-04-27      | 2011-04-27 |
   |---------+----------+------------+-----------------+------------|
   | 1.6.2.X | Standard | TBD (Q4    | TBD + 1 year    | TBD + 2    |
   |         |          | 2009)      |                 | years      |
   |---------+----------+------------+-----------------+------------|
   | 1.8.X   | LTS      | TBD        | TBD + 4 years   | TBD + 5    |
   |         |          |            |                 | years      |
   +----------------------------------------------------------------+

   Table 1: Asterisk Release Schedule (*** Dates extended due to the
   timing of the new policy)


-- 
Russell Bryant
Digium, Inc. | Engineering Manager, Open Source Software
445 Jan Davis Drive NW - Huntsville, AL 35806 - USA
Check us out at: www.digium.com & www.asterisk.org