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    TKE Kubernetes Version Maintenance Mechanism

    Last updated: 2024-10-15 10:48:42
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      Tencent Kubernetes Engine (TKE) provides container-centric solutions based on native Kubernetes. Since 3 to 4 minor versions of the community-supported open source edition of Kubernetes are released each year, TKE will also regularly release and maintain the TKE Kubernetes versions supported by the platform. This document mainly describes the support mechanism, release schedule, and expiration risks of the TKE Kubernetes versions.

      Version Maintenance

      Since September 24, 2018, TKE has only released versions that support even-numbered minor versions of Kubernetes, such as 1.30, 1.28, and 1.26.

      Version Number

      The TKE Kubernetes versions are expressed as x.y.z-tke.n. x.y.z represents the community Kubernetes version, where x represents the major version, y represents the minor version, z represents the patch version, and n represents the TKE patch version. For example, 1.28.3-tke.1 represents a patch version provided based on the Kubernetes version 1.28.3.

      Maintenance Cycle

      TKE provides up to 27 months (18+6+3) of service support for each minor version released. The support cycle is divided into the following four stages:
      Version Stage
      Description
      GA (General Availability)
      Indicates that the current version can be fully delivered to existing network customers. Typically, it will go to the GA stage 3 months after a new even-numbered minor version is released in the community. During this period, the platform provides patches and service support for the version in this stage.
      EOM (End of Marketing)
      Indicates that the creation of new clusters for the current version will be stopped across the entire network. Typically, it will go to the EOM stage 18 months after update to the GA version. During this period, the platform provides patches and service support for the version in this stage.
      EOFS (End of Full Support)
      Indicates that the platform will stop providing new patches for the current version and product features under this version may be limited, such as limiting the creation of new nodes (pools). Typically, it will go to the EOFS stage 6 months after update to the EOM version. During this period, the platform only provides service support for the version in this stage.
      EOS (End of Service & Support)
      Indicates the time to stop providing services for the current version when the version has expired. Typically, it will go to the EOS stage 3 months after update to the EOFS version.
      Notes:
      TKE will conduct a comprehensive risk assessment and strict compatibility verification for all open versions. Typically, the creation of new clusters will be gradually opened up 2 months after a new even-numbered minor version is first released in the community. The version is still in the grayscale stage at this time and is expected to enter the GA stage after grayscale for one month. In the grayscale stage, it is not recommended to deploy production business directly.

      Patches and Service Support

      Patch Scope

      New product features, feature defect repair, community feature merging, security risk remediation, and other features provided by the platform.

      Service Support Scope

      Cluster creation: TKE supports the creation of version clusters in the GA stage.
      Upgrade and O&M assurance: TKE provides upgrade features for versions later than v1.10 and provides troubleshooting, fault recovery, and other support.
      After-sales support: TKE provides answering questions, online guidance, and troubleshooting. However, for expired versions of Kubernetes clusters, the platform will not guarantee the quality and effectiveness of technical support, and the SLA may be affected due to failure to comply with best practices.

      TKE Kubernetes Release Schedule

      K8s Version
      GA Date
      EOM Date
      EOFS Date
      EOS Date
      1.30
      August 20, 2024
      February 20, 2026
      August 20, 2026
      November 20, 2026
      1.28
      April 28, 2024
      October 28, 2025
      April 28, 2026
      July 28, 2026
      1.26 (upgrade supported)
      April 25, 2023
      October 25, 2024
      April 25, 2025
      July 25, 2025
      1.24 (upgrade supported)
      January 6, 2023
      July 6, 2024
      January 6, 2025
      April 6, 2025
      1.22 (upgrade supported)
      July 20, 2022
      January 20, 2024
      July 20, 2024
      October 20, 2024
      1.20 (upgrade supported)
      September 9, 2021
      March 9, 2023
      September 9, 2023
      December 9, 2023
      Notes:
      We have postponed the service support time for some versions. The EOM time for version 1.20/1.22/1.24 is postponed to October 25, 2024. The EOFS and EOS time for version 1.20/1.22 is postponed to December 20, 2024.

      Expired Version Risks

      1. The creation of new clusters for expired versions is not supported.
      2. The platform no longer provides patch services for expired versions.
      3. The quality and effectiveness of technical support cannot be guaranteed.
      4. The platform reserves the right to forcibly upgrade expired versions of clusters. Before performing a forced upgrade, we will send relevant notifications at least one month in advance via SMS, email, and internal messages.
      In summary, it is recommended that you should plan and upgrade the Kubernetes version in a timely manner. For details, see Upgrading a Cluster.
      
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