Running Oracle Linux in your environment? Understanding the precise end-of-service schedule for each version is critical for maintaining system security and operational stability. Unexpected support termination can expose systems to security vulnerabilities and cause significant operational disruptions. This comprehensive guide provides accurate EOS/EOL schedules for all Oracle Linux versions, along with essential information for production environments and strategic planning.
1. Understanding Oracle Linux Support Policy – Three-Tier Support Structure
Oracle Linux operates on a unique three-tier support structure. Understanding this framework is fundamental to managing EOS/EOL timelines effectively.
Premier Support
- Provided for a minimum of 5-10 years from General Availability (GA) date
- Comprehensive technical support services
- Security patches and bug fixes
- Hardware certification support
- Live Kernel Patching capability included
Extended Support
- Additional 3 years of paid support after Premier Support ends
- Critical security errata and select high-impact bug fixes
- Updates limited to specific package lists
- Live Kernel Patching continues
Sustaining Support
- Indefinite support after Extended Support expires
- No new security fixes or alerts
- Basic technical support only
2. Complete Oracle Linux Version EOS/EOL Schedule
The following schedule is based on Oracle’s official Lifetime Support Policy documentation.
| Version | GA Date | Premier Support End | Extended Support End | Sustaining Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 3 | October 2003 | October 2011 | Not Available | Indefinite |
| Oracle Linux 4 | February 2005 | February 2013 | Not Available | Indefinite |
| Oracle Linux 5 | June 2007 | June 2017 | November 2020 (Ended) | Indefinite |
| Oracle Linux 6 | February 2011 | March 2021 | December 2024 (Ending Soon) | Indefinite |
| Oracle Linux 7 | July 2014 | December 2024 (Ended) | June 2028 | Indefinite |
| Oracle Linux 8 | July 2019 | July 2029 | July 2032 | Indefinite |
| Oracle Linux 9 | June 2022 | June 2032 | June 2035 | Indefinite |
| Oracle Linux 10 | June 2025 (Planned) | June 2035 | June 2038 | Indefinite |
3. 2025 Critical Changes – Oracle Linux 7 Extended Support Transition
2025 marks a significant transition in the Oracle Linux ecosystem. As of January 1, 2025, Oracle Linux 7 moved from Premier Support to Extended Support status.
Oracle Linux 7 Extended Support Characteristics
- Support period: January 2025 – June 2028
- Supported packages: bind, bash, chrony, grub2, glibc, httpd, kernel, openssh, openssl, and other core packages
- Exclusions: Oracle Linux 7.9 aarch64 is excluded from Extended Support
- Recommendation: Migration to Oracle Linux 8 required for aarch64 environments
4. Current Situation Response Guide
Oracle Linux 6 Users (Critical Situation)
- Extended Support ends December 2024
- Immediate migration to Oracle Linux 8 or 9 required
- No security patches available after EOL, creating significant security exposure
Oracle Linux 7 Users (Action Required)
- Currently in Extended Support (until June 2028)
- 3-year window available for planning, but upgrade planning recommended
- Consider Oracle’s Leapp tool for Oracle Linux 8 migration
Oracle Linux 8 Users (Stable)
- Premier Support continues until 2029
- Most stable operating environment currently
- Suitable for long-term operational planning
Oracle Linux 9 Users (Current)
- Premier Support guaranteed until 2032
- Latest features and security updates available
- Recommended for new system deployments
5. Oracle Linux Unique Policies
Oracle Linux implements several distinct policies that differ from other distributions.
Point Release Policy
- Previous minor versions become EOL immediately when new versions are released
- Example: Oracle Linux 8.4 becomes EOL immediately upon Oracle Linux 8.5 release
- Differs from Red Hat Enterprise Linux policy – requires careful attention
Kernel Selection Considerations
- Default: Oracle’s UEK (Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel)
- Alternative: RHEL Compatible Kernel (RHCK) available
- Application compatibility must be considered when selecting kernel type
6. Migration and Upgrade Strategy
Phased Migration Approach
- Environment Assessment
- Verify current Oracle Linux version:
cat /etc/oracle-release - Document running applications and services
- Review hardware compatibility requirements
- Verify current Oracle Linux version:
- Test Environment Setup
- Deploy target Oracle Linux version in test environment
- Conduct application compatibility testing
- Perform performance benchmarking comparisons
- Gradual Migration
- Begin with lower-priority systems
- Allow sufficient testing period before production deployment
- Establish rollback procedures
7. Oracle Related Products Detailed EOS/EOL Schedule
Understanding support end dates for various Oracle products that operate alongside Oracle Linux is essential for comprehensive planning.
Oracle VM (Virtualization Solution) Support Schedule
| Version | GA Date | Premier Support End | Extended Support End | Sustaining Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle VM 2 | November 2007 | November 2015 | Not Available | Indefinite |
| Oracle VM 3 | August 2011 | March 2021 | June 2024 (Ended) | Indefinite |
Oracle Management Tools EOS/EOL Schedule
Oracle Linux Manager (OLM)
- End of Service: December 2025 (Ending Soon)
- Extended Support: January 2025 – June 2026 (Oracle Linux 7 environments only)
- Alternative solution evaluation required
Oracle Linux Automation Manager
- Support policy: 18 months per major release
- Full Support: 0-6 months
- Maintenance Support 1: 6-12 months
- Maintenance Support 2: 12-18 months
Oracle Linux Virtualization Manager
- Support policy: Current version (N) and previous version (N-1)
- N-1 version receives CVE and bug fixes for 6 months after N release
- Currently active versions:
- Release 4.5 (December 2023) – Currently supported
- Release 4.4 (April 2022) – Support ended July 2024
Oracle Container and Cloud Platforms
Oracle Verrazzano Enterprise Container Platform
- Premier Support ended: October 31, 2024 (Already ended)
- Current status: Sustaining Support (indefinite)
- No new security fixes or feature additions
Oracle OpenStack
- Premier Support ended: October 2020 (Already ended)
- Extended Support: Not available
- Supported environments: Oracle Linux 6.x, 7.x, VM 3.x
Oracle Cloud Native Environment
- Support policy: 16-month phased support per release
- Full Support: 0-4 months
- Maintenance Support 1: 4-8 months
- Maintenance Support 2: 8-16 months
8. Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK) Version Support Status
Understanding the support status of UEK, a core component of Oracle Linux, is crucial for system planning.
| UEK Version | Base Kernel | Supported Oracle Linux Versions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| UEK R8 | 6.12.x | Oracle Linux 9, 10 | Current Latest |
| UEK R7 | 5.15.x | Oracle Linux 8, 9 | Active Support |
| UEK R6 | 5.4.17 | Oracle Linux 7, 8 | Active Support |
| UEK R5 | 4.14.35 | Oracle Linux 7, 8 | Maintenance Support |
| UEK R4 | 4.1.12 | Oracle Linux 6, 7 | Limited Support |
UEK Selection Guide
- New systems: UEK R8 recommended (latest features and performance)
- Oracle Database environments: UEK strongly recommended (optimized performance)
- Hardware compatibility priority: RHCK (Red Hat Compatible Kernel) selection
9. Application Streams Support Schedule
Application Streams support schedules for Oracle Linux 8 and 9 require detailed attention.
Oracle Linux 9 Key Application Streams
| Module | Stream | Release Date | Retirement Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nginx | 1.24 | May 2024 | May 2027 | Standard |
| nodejs | 22 | November 2024 | April 2027 | Standard |
| php | 8.2 | May 2024 | May 2029 | Standard |
| postgresql | 16 | May 2024 | May 2029 | Standard |
| python | 3.12 | May 2024 | April 2027 | Standard |
| ruby | 3.3 | May 2024 | March 2027 | Standard |
Oracle Linux 8 Key Application Streams
| Module | Stream | Release Date | Retirement Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dotnet | 8.0 | November 2023 | May 2026 | Standard |
| nodejs | 20 | November 2023 | April 2026 | Standard |
| php | 8.2 | May 2024 | July 2029 | Full Life |
| postgresql | 16 | May 2024 | July 2029 | Full Life |
| python | 3.12 | May 2024 | July 2029 | Full Life |
10. Products Requiring Immediate Response
Immediate Action Required (Support Already Ended)
- Oracle VM 3: Extended Support ended (June 2024)
- Oracle Verrazzano: Premier Support ended (October 2024)
- Oracle OpenStack: Premier Support ended (October 2020)
Short-term Action Required (Within 1 Year)
- Oracle Linux Manager: Support ending (December 2025)
- Oracle Linux 6: Extended Support ending (December 2024)
11. Conclusion and Recommendations
Comprehensive understanding and preparation for Oracle Linux ecosystem EOS/EOL schedules is fundamental to stable system operations. 2025 presents several critical transitions requiring immediate attention.
Critical Priority Recommendations
- Oracle Linux 6 environments: Immediate migration to Oracle Linux 8 or higher
- Oracle Linux Manager users: Deploy alternative solutions before December 2025
- Oracle VM 3 environments: Already end-of-support, immediate upgrade or migration required
- Oracle Verrazzano users: Evaluate alternative container platforms
Medium to Long-term Planning Recommendations
- Oracle Linux 7 users should establish systematic upgrade planning through 2028
- Consider standardization on UEK R8 and Oracle Linux 9 combination
- Plan application stacks considering Application Streams lifecycles
- Establish regular Oracle support policy monitoring systems
Key Reference Resources
- Oracle Lifetime Support Policy
- Oracle Linux Product Lifecycle
- Oracle Linux Extended Support Information
- endoflife.date Oracle Linux Page
Oracle’s support policies are regularly updated, so quarterly review of the latest information for operational strategy integration is recommended. 🙂