N/A - RHSA-2012:0349

Problem Description:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 reaches end of Production Phase and transitions to Extended Life Phase.

2. Relevant releases/architectures:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4 - i386, ia64, ppc, s390, s390x, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4 - i386, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4 - i386, ia64, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4 - i386, ia64, x86_64

3. Description:

On March 01, 2012, all Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4-based products listed below transition from the Production Phase to the Extended Life Phase:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 4 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES 4 Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 4 Red Hat Desktop 4 Red Hat Global File System 4 Red Hat Cluster Suite 4

Red Hat offers support and services for each major release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux throughout four phases – Production 1, 2, and 3, and Extended Life Phase. For Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4, the Production Phase spans seven years, followed by a three-year Extended Life Phase. Together, these four phases constitute the "life cycle". The specific support and services provided during each phase is described in detail at: http://redhat.com/rhel/lifecycle

On March 01, 2012, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 systems continue to be subscribed to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 channels on Red Hat Network (RHN), continue to require a Red Hat Enterprise Linux entitlement, and continue to have access to:

* Limited technical support for existing Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
deployments (for customers with Basic, Premium, or Standard support).

* Previously released bug fixes (RHBAs), security errata (RHSAs), and
product enhancements (RHEAs) via RHN. Software maintenance (new bug fix
and security errata) are no longer provided for the Red Hat Enterprise
Linux 4 product family.

* Red Hat Knowledgebase and other content (white papers, reference
architectures, etc.) found in the Red Hat Customer Portal.

* Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 documentation.

Please also note that new bug fix, security, or product enhancements advisories (RHBAs, RHSAs, and RHEAs) are no longer provided for the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 Add-Ons after March 01.

After March 01, you have several options. Your Red Hat subscription gives you continuous access to all active versions of the Red Hat software in both binary and source form, including all security updates and bug fixes. As Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 transitions out of the Production Phase, we strongly recommend that you take full advantage of your subscription services and upgrade to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 or 6, which contain compelling new features and enablement for modern hardware platforms and ISV applications.

If you must remain on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4, we recommend that you add the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Extended Life Cycle Support (ELS) Add-On subscription to your current Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription. The ELS Add-On complements your Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription and provides software maintenance services not otherwise available in the Extended Life Phase. Customers who purchase the ELS Add-On continue to receive software maintenance (critical impact security and urgent priority bug fixes) and technical support as provided in the Production 3 Phase. ELS is available for up to three years and requires that you have an existing Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription with equivalent subscription terms and support level.

For more information on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux ELS Add-On, visit: http://www.redhat.com/products/enterprise-linux-add-ons/extended-lifecycle-support/

4. Solution:

This advisory contains an updated redhat-release package, that provides a copy of this end of life notice in the "/usr/share/doc/" directory.

5. Bugs fixed (http://bugzilla.redhat.com/):

786375 - Send Out RHEL 4 Transition to Extended Life Phase Notice