Linux Support Policy

This page documents the Linux support policy for the Jenkins controller and agents.

Scope

Individual Jenkins plugins may set additional requirements for Linux versions on controllers and/or agents. This page does not document such requirements. Please refer to plugin documentation for additional requirements.

Why?

Theoretically, Jenkins can run everywhere where you can run a supported Java version, but there are some limitations in practice. Jenkins core and some plugins include native code or depend on Linux API and subsystems and hence they rely on specific Linux versions. Jenkins platform specific installation packages rely on specific Linux versions.

Support levels

We define multiple support levels for Linux platforms.

Support level Description Platforms

Support level	Description	Platforms
Level 1 - Supported	We run automated package manager installation testing for these platforms and we intend to fix the reported issues in a timely manner. We recommend either package manager based installations or container based installations for Linux. Installations may also use `jenkins.war` without a package manager, though our automated testing focuses on package manager and container installations.	64-bit (amd64) Linux versions that use the Debian packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io 64-bit (amd64) Linux versions that use the Red Hat rpm packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io 64-bit (amd64) Linux versions that use the OpenSUSE rpm packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io 64-bit (arm64, s390x) Linux versions that use the Debian packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io 64-bit (arm64, s390x) Linux versions that use the rpm packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io Linux container images (amd64, arm64, s390x) as published for the controller and various agents
Level 2 - Patches considered	Support may have limitations and extra requirements. We do not test compatibility, and we may drop support at any time. We consider patches that do not put level 1 support at risk and do not create maintenance overhead.	32-bit (x86, arm) Linux versions RISC-V and other architectures not included in level 1 support Preview releases
Level 3 - Unsupported	These versions are known to be incompatible or to have severe limitations. We do not support the listed platforms and we do not accept patches.	Linux versions no longer supported by operating system providers

Level 1 - Supported

We run automated package manager installation testing for these platforms and we intend to fix the reported issues in a timely manner. We recommend either package manager based installations or container based installations for Linux. Installations may also use jenkins.war without a package manager, though our automated testing focuses on package manager and container installations.

64-bit (amd64) Linux versions that use the Debian packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io
64-bit (amd64) Linux versions that use the Red Hat rpm packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io
64-bit (amd64) Linux versions that use the OpenSUSE rpm packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io
64-bit (arm64, s390x) Linux versions that use the Debian packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io
64-bit (arm64, s390x) Linux versions that use the rpm packaging format as tested on ci.jenkins.io
Linux container images (amd64, arm64, s390x) as published for the controller and various agents

Level 2 - Patches considered

Support may have limitations and extra requirements. We do not test compatibility, and we may drop support at any time. We consider patches that do not put level 1 support at risk and do not create maintenance overhead.

32-bit (x86, arm) Linux versions
RISC-V and other architectures not included in level 1 support
Preview releases

Level 3 - Unsupported

These versions are known to be incompatible or to have severe limitations. We do not support the listed platforms and we do not accept patches.

Linux versions no longer supported by operating system providers

References

Contributing

You are welcome to propose PR’s that add support for other Linux platforms or to share feedback; we will appreciate your contributions! Linux support in Jenkins is Platform Special Interest Group which has a chat, a forum., and regular meetings. You are welcome to join these channels.

Version history

March 2022 - First version (Discussion in the mailing list, Governance meeting notes and recording)