Overview of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 'Extended Update Support (EUS)'

In this article, we are providing an overview of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Extended Update Support subscription. What it is, what are the benefits, and how it can be obtained. Partially we are taking a look also at Update Services for SAP Solutions subscription. For both products, we are presenting also a planning schedule with details for eligible minor releases.

What Is Extended Update Support (EUS)?

Extended Update Support (EUS) is an optional Add-on subscription to Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscriptions. It is beneficial for customers, who do not wish to upgrade to each current minor release as it is released, but prefer to stay on a specific minor release for an extended period. It provides the maximum maintenance benefits available for such cases.

Generally, within Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscriptions, all available Critical and Important Security errata advisories (RHSAs) and Urgent and Selected (at Red Hat discretion) High Priority Bug Fix errata advisories (RHBAs) are provided for the current active minor release until the availability of the next minor release. Under the EUS, Red Hat defined Critical and Important impact RHSAs and selected (at Red Hat discretion) Urgent Priority RHBAs are provided also for specific minor releases for 24 months from the availability of the minor release.

EUS is with no additional costs included in the "x86-64 Red Enterprise Linux Server Premium subscription". However, it can be also purchased as an Add-On subscription for the following products:

• x86-64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Standard subscription
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM Power LE subscription
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems subscription
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Standard and Premium subscriptions (Add-on for version 9 only)
  

The quantity of needed EUS Add-on subscriptions is calculated as 1 Add-On subscription per Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription. There are 2 options available:

1. Extended Update Support for Limited Guests
2. Extended Update Support for Unlimited Guests

For customers with needs of SAP workloads such as S/4HANA and SAP HANA platform, there is available a specific subscription: "Red Hat Enterprise Linux for SAP Solutions", which contains on top of the EUS also "Update Services for SAP Solutions (E4S)". E4S provides support for specific minor releases (which may be different from the EUS releases) for 48 months from the general availability of the particular minor release.

EUS & E4S Planning

EUS is currently available only for the specific minor releases of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions 8 and 9. In Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 7, EUS has been retired for all minor releases.

E4S is currently available for the specific minor releases of Red Hat Enterprise Linux for SAP Solutions versions 7, 8, and 9.

Details for specific minor releases are summarized below and on the respective charts.

Minor releases currently provided with EUS In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:

• 8.4 (ends May 31, 2023)
• 8.6 (ends May 31, 2024)

Minor releases currently provided with E4S In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:

• 8.1 (ends November 30, 2023)
• 8.2 (ends April 30, 2024)
• 8.4 (ends May 31, 2025)
• 8.6 (ends May 31, 2026)

Minor releases currently provided with EUS In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:

• 9.0 (ends May 31, 2024)

Minor releases currently provided with E4S In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:

• 9.0 (ends May 31, 2026)

Source (images): Red Hat