Topic: Lifecycle for 7.x

[Yuyo]

I am very impressed with SME server and I am considering it for wider use. How long will security updates be provided for this version?

In other words, when will SME 7.x reached its end of life?

If there is a reasonable support window for it, three-to-five years is the minimum I would consider for a server operating system, then I will be very happy to use and recommned SME server.

I apologize if this has been answered before.

Many thanks

[judgej]

...In other words, when will SME 7.x reached its end of life?...

I'm sure there will be more detailed answers, but the 6.x series was (and still is) around for many years.

7.x is based on the latest CentOS, which has the stated aim of having a support lifecycle of five years, so it looks like it will be well supported for a long time yet.

-- JJ

[Yuyo]

Thanks for your response.

That is my expectation as well, but I would love to hear something resembling an official policy on this. Better yet, if this was prominently displayed on the project's page.

In my view, this is one of the key considerations for a server operating system.

[CharlieBrady]

In my view, this is one of the key considerations for a server operating system.

If you need guaranteed support, then you should be looking for someone who will provide contracted support. I'm quite confident that nobody will offer you guaranteed volunteer support.

[Yuyo]

In my view, this is one of the key considerations for a server operating system.

If you need guaranteed support, then you should be looking for someone who will provide contracted support. I'm quite confident that nobody will offer you guaranteed volunteer support.

We may be misunderstanding each other. I don't need any form of support other than security updates, but most of all, I need to know what the stated policy is for this from someone who is able to speak authoritatively on behalf of the project.

When I install Debian Linux, I know exactly what to expect in terms of security updates. I also know that when a new version comes out, they have done extensive testing to make the upgrade between versions almost a child's play.

I am very impressed with what I have seen of SME Server, but if this project wants to make a splash outside of its existing community and wants to be taken seriously, asking for some form of statement as to what is the expected lifecycle for a piece of software isn't an outrageous expectation.

[gregswallow]

SME Server and Debian are not that different.  As I understand it, both are developed by volunteers, run by non-profit organizations, exist based on donations of time and money, and provide community-support on email lists, forums, etc.  Debian has a lot more volunteers, but still doesn't offer guarantees of support.  

If you think SME is a good product, make a donation and we can support the developers, pay for hardware and bandwidth, donate in turn to the CentOS project which provides a good chunk of the rpms that make up SME Server, and all the rest of that good stuff.  

And as Charlie said, hire a consultant to help setup/run your server, or hire one to integrate an addon application that you need.

[gordonr]

We may be misunderstanding each other. I don't need any form of support other than security updates, but most of all, I need to know what the stated policy is for this from someone who is able to speak authoritatively on behalf of the project.

OK - I'm the community elected Development Manager and am basically going to echo the words of Charlie and Greg.

One of the major benefits of SME Server 7 is that we are based on CentOS 4.x, which should mean security updates for at least seven years. CentOS is a recompilation of the publicly available sources on ftp.redhat.com and those are expected to have a very long lifetime.

However, both CentOS and SME Server depend on volunteers to do their work. The SME Server development team is small (around five active developers) and there are many thousands of users.

If the users want to ensure a future, we need a stable financial base so that we can ensure developer resources and we can support those we rely on -  for example, by donating funds and resources to help fund the CentOS project.

As to a guarantee - we can't provide any guarantees without guaranteed resources to carry them through. At the moment we have no guaranteed resources - all effort is volunteer effort and the developers all have other jobs.

Show us your support and donate today. Let's get the stability we all desire so we can make plans for the future.

[Yuyo]

Thank you for both of your answers.

Here's my commitment to you.

I will be testing the SME server for the next three months.

Going forward, if I choose to deploy it for somebody, I will donate 5% of any revenues to you and 5 % to the CentOS project.

Thanks again.

[gordonr]

Thank you for both of your answers.

Here's my commitment to you.

I will be testing the SME server for the next three months.

Going forward, if I choose to deploy it for somebody, I will donate 5% of any revenues to you and 5 % to the CentOS project.

Thanks again.

Excellent - thank you. That is the sort of tangible support I believe everyone who is making money from the SME Server should provide.