For the purposes of this support document:
Release versioning:
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Major Version means a version identified by the number to the left of the leftmost decimal point (X.y.z.a). For example, 2.1.3.0 indicates Major Version 2 and 1.3.0.4 indicates Major Version 1.
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Minor Version means a version identified by a change in the number in between the two leftmost decimal points (x.Y.z.a). For example, 2.1.3.0 indicates Minor Version 1 and 1.3.0.4 indicates Minor Version 3.
Patches:
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Community Edition Patch means a patch identified by a change in the number to the left of the rightmost decimal point (x.y.Z.a). For example, Community/OSS version 2.8.3 indicates Release Version 2.8 with patch number 3 and 3.3.0 indicates Release version 3.0 with Patch number 0.
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Enterprise Patch Version means a version identified by a change in the number to the right of the rightmost decimal point (x.y.z.A). For example, 2.8.3.0 indicates Enterprise Release version 2.8 with Patch Version 3.0 and 3.3.2.1 indicates Enterprise Release Version 3.3 with patch number 2.1
Kong introduces major functionality and breaking changes by releasing a new major version. Major version releases happen rarely and are usually in response to changes in major industry trends, significant architectural changes or significant internal product innovation. There is no regular release cadence of major versions.
Kong aims to release a new minor version approximately every 12 weeks. Minor versions contain features and bug fixes. Minor versions are usually¹ backwards compatible within that major version sequence. Every minor version is supported for a period of 1 year from date of release. This is done by releasing patches that apply to each supported minor version. Customers are encouraged to keep their installations up to date by applying the patches appropriate to their installed version. All patches released by Kong are roll-up patches (for example, patch 1.5 for release version 3.3 includes all the fixes in patches 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, and 1.1).
¹Note: There can be exceptions to the versioning model.
Due to backports, new features and breaking changes are possible at any version level, including patch versions.
To avoid issues, do not upgrade to any new version automatically, and
make sure to review all relevant changelog entries before manually upgrading your deployments.
Kong may designate a specific minor version as a Long-Term Support (LTS) version. Kong provides technical support for the LTS version on a given distribution for the duration of the distribution’s lifecycle, or for 3 years from LTS version release, whichever comes sooner. An LTS version is backwards compatible within its major version sequence. An LTS version receives all security fixes. Additionally, an LTS version may receive certain non-security patches at Kong’s discretion. At any time, there will be at least 1 active LTS Kong Gateway version.
After the product hits the end of the support period, Kong will provide limited support to help the customer upgrade to a fully supported version of Kong Gateway for up to an additional 12 month sunset period. Kong will not provide patches for software covered by this sunset period. If there is an issue that requires a patch during this period, the customer will need to upgrade to a newer Kong Gateway version covered by active support.