Applies to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2

14 Support Plans #

This chapter explains how SLES container support plans work.

There are three guiding principles of SUSE container support.

The container image lifecycle follows the lifecycle of the related products.
For example, SLES 15 SP2 container images follow the SLES 15 SP2 lifecycle.
Container release status also matches the status of the related product.
For example, if SLES 15 SP2 is in Alpha, Beta, RC or GA stage, the related containers have the same release status.
Containers are built using the packages from the related products.
For example, SLES 15 SP2 container images are built using the same packages as the main SLES 15 SP2 release.

14.1 Supported Containers on SUSE Host Environments #

The following support options (tiers) apply to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and SUSE CaaS Platform containers on SUSE host environments.

Containers Delivered by SUSE: Containers delivered by SUSE are fully supported. This applies to both the container and host environment as well as all products under support. This includes both general support and Long Term Service Pack Support (LTSS).

Containers Delivered by Partners with an Agreement Ensuring a Joint Engineering Collaboration: This tier targets important Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). Partner containers with a joint engineering collaboration agreement are fully supported. This applies to both the container and host environment as well as all products under support (both general, as well as LTSS) covered by the agreement. Products not covered by the agreement fall under Tier Three.

All Other Third-Party Containers: The SUSE container host environment is fully supported. However the container vendor is responsible for handling issues related to third-party containers they maintain.

The support options (tiers) covered below apply to the following container options:

SUSE Linux Enterprise base containers
Containers delivered by SUSE
Third-party container environments derived from the SLE base containers
Third-party containers built from SLE packages using KIWI (see Section 2.2.2, “KIWI”) and Open Build Service (see Section 2.2.1, “Open Build Service”)

SUSE Products: This tier applies to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, SUSE CaaS Platform and ∩. Both the containers and host environments delivered by SUSE are fully supported as well as all products under support. This includes both general support and LTSS.

Third-Party Vendors with an Agreement Ensuring a Joint Engineering Collaboration: Partner containers and host environments with a joint engineering collaboration agreement are fully supported. This applies to both the container and host environment as well as all products under support (both general and LTSS) covered by the agreement.

Selected Third-Party Vendors with No Agreement: This tier targets environments delivered by selected third-party vendors. While SUSE-based containers are fully supported, issues in the host environment must be handled by the host environment vendor. SUSE supports components that come from the SUSE base containers. Packages from SUSE repositories are also supported. Additional components and application in the containers are not covered by SUSE support. A SLE subscription is required for building a derived container.

Any Other Container Host Environment: Any container host environment not mentioned in the support tiers above has limited support. Details can be discussed with the SUSE Support Team, who might triage the issue and recommend alternative solutions. In any other case, issues in the host environment must be handled by the host environment vendor.