2027 is a planning year for Linux servers. Ubuntu 22.04’s standard support ends in May 2027, Ubuntu 26.04 is out, and RHEL 10 has replaced RHEL 8 as the platform to build on. This guide covers what to do with each version, and how to choose between Red Hat and Ubuntu.
Ubuntu: where each version stands
- Ubuntu 22.04: standard support ends in May 2027. After that, security updates continue only with Ubuntu Pro.
- Ubuntu 24.04: standard support into 2029, so there’s no rush to move.
- Ubuntu 26.04: released in April 2026, with the longest support window. A sensible choice for new servers once your applications support it. Its first point release, 26.04.1, is out, which many teams wait for before upgrading production.
- Ubuntu 20.04 or older: a priority, either via Ubuntu Pro or a planned rebuild.
Your options for Ubuntu 22.04 servers
- Upgrade to 24.04 LTS: the natural next step.
- Stay on 22.04 with Ubuntu Pro: buys time while applications are tested.
- Rebuild on 26.04: for new servers. Existing 22.04 servers can’t upgrade directly to 26.04; they need to go via 24.04 first.
A simple plan: list every Ubuntu server and its version (lsb_release -a), check that each application supports 24.04, upgrade a test server first, then schedule the rest before May.
RHEL: plan the move from RHEL 8
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 has been out since May 2025. What’s new that matters day to day:
- Image mode: build and update servers from a container image, so every server is identical and rollbacks are simple.
- RHEL Lightspeed: an AI assistant for the command line that helps admins find answers faster.
- Security: groundwork for post-quantum cryptography and updated security defaults.
RHEL 8.10 is in maintenance support until May 2029: still supported, but only for security and critical fixes. A sensible plan is to build new servers on RHEL 9 or 10, and schedule RHEL 8 servers for replacement before 2029, starting with the most important.
RHEL or Ubuntu? Five questions
- What does your application vendor certify? This often decides it. Many enterprise and SAP-adjacent apps certify RHEL or SUSE first.
- What support model do you want? RHEL comes with a subscription and vendor support built in. Ubuntu is free to use, with Ubuntu Pro for extended security and support.
- How long will the server live? Both offer 10-year life cycles with the right subscription.
- What does your team already know? A platform your people can manage is safer than a “better” one they can’t.
- Where will it run? Both are widely available in Azure and other clouds.
How Pentacle IT Solutions can help
Pentacle IT Solutions works with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu Server and SUSE for SAP workloads, for businesses in Lucknow and across Uttar Pradesh. We plan and carry out upgrades, and can supply Red Hat subscriptions and Ubuntu Pro or work with the ones you already have.
