Ubuntu Support Periods and ESM Information
Canonical, the organisation that publishes Ubuntu Linux, supports each version release for a pre-determined period of time.
During the term of support, the packages included in the release are updated, thus ensuring a secure environment.
Support is divided into two time windows. The regular support period is followed by the "ESM" time window.
Recommendation for Upgrades
Nine advises to upgrade systems regularly. For you as a customer, smaller but more frequent innovation steps result in a more predictable effort than it would be the case with a larger amount changes.
Available software versions Nine provides for the different Ubuntu release are listed here.
Please reach out to us discuss the details of an upgrade or replacement of your current environment.
What does ESM mean?
ESM stands for "Expanded Security Maintenance" and describes the time between the end of the regular support period and the end of support for an Ubuntu version.
During the ESM period, security-relevant patches are backported by Canonical. This ensures that security updates are also available for software that has already reached the end of its support period.
Operational Impact of the ESM Period
Continued operation during the ESM period will be possible without restrictions. No adjustments from you are required on the start of the ESM period.
Nine will make all necessary adjustments to ensure the reliable operation of your servers.
Additional Costs During the ESM Period
Costs of the ESM Licence
In order to be able to use the Expanded Security Maintenance, Canonical requires the purchase of a license. Nine purchases the ESM license and then passes that license, along with the expense, to the specific server and customer.
The amount of the license differs between the type of server (virtual vs dedicated). Our policy at Nine is to notify customers of the additional costs before the start of the ESM period. Subject to price adjustments by Canonical and exchange rate fluctuations, the license costs charged by Nine (as of writing September 2024) are:
- CHF 20 per month for virtual servers
- CHF 35 per month for dedicated servers
The additional costs will be charged for each server operated at the start of the ESM period.
Additional Costs for PHP Environments
Canonical only delivers one PHP version per release. However, this does not reflect the needs of our customers.
Nine provides a more diverse PHP environment on its managed servers. This allows our customers to choose between multiple PHP versions without having to run multiple servers.
With the start of the ESM period, additional fees are incurred for ensuring the PHP environment is up to date.
The charge is applied to all customers who use a PHP environment on their server. As the number of ESM environments decreases, the cost per installation increases.
Nine informs customers quarterly about the amount of the fees for the coming billing period.
Support Period for Ubuntu Versions
Ubuntu versions are actively supported for 5 years. This is followed by a 5-year ESM period.
| Version | Release | ESM Period | End of Support by Nine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Noble 24.04 | April 2024 | April 2029 - April 2034 | Not yet scheduled |
| Ubuntu Jammy 22.04 | April 2022 | April 2027 - April 2032 | Not yet scheduled |
| Ubuntu Focal 20.04 | April 2020 | April 2025 - April 2030 | Not yet scheduled |
| Ubuntu Bionic 18.04 | April 2018 | June 2023 - April 2028 | expected 2025 / 2026 |
| Ubuntu Xenial 16.04 | April 2016 | April 2021 - April 2026 | latest 2024 |
| Ubuntu Trusty 14.04 | April 2014 | April 2019 - April 2024 | September 2022 |
Support Period by Nine
Nine actively supports customers in upgrading to the next newer Ubuntu version.
By means of "in-place" upgrades for virtual servers, or hardware renewal in the case of dedicated servers, there are always suitable opportunities to align system environments with new requirements.
Nine aims to replace systems before the end of the ESM period and therefore does not offer operation until the end of the ESM period.
Detailed Clarifications
Every server environment and application is unique. We will be happy to support you with your ESM and system renewal questions by email at or via our Service Desk Portal.