Vectra statement on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS reaching EOL

This article provides details for customers who are concerned about the End of Support for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS used as the base OS in Vectra appliances.a

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, codenamed Focal Fossa, the base operating system for Vectra’s Network appliances, will reach the End of Standard Support (EOL) in May 2025. Upon reaching EOL, Focal Fossa will transition to Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM).

What does this mean for Vectra customers?

No action is required. Vectra has purchased an Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM) contract from Canonical, the makers of Ubuntu. This provides Vectra customers with the exact same service level for security patching that the public receives; however, Vectra customers will receive the security patches for 20.04 LTS until May of 2030, where users without the ESM would only receive the security patches until May of 2025 for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. All Vectra appliances are licensed for ESM support, and the security updates are automatically managed by Vectra as part of the product releases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

As a Vectra customer, do I need to upgrade the OS on my Detect appliance?

• No. Maintaining the OS and relevant security updates is Vectra’s responsibility.

Will my Vectra appliances continue to receive security updates?

• Yes, Vectra will continue to provide security updates for our OS and software.

Do I need to do anything to activate the Ubuntu Pro subscription and enable the ESM updates on my Vectra appliances?

• No. Vectra ensures that our OS and software are kept up to date with relevant security updates.

Is there a transition period before the ESM updates are activated?

• No. The transition is internal to the package repository sources. Since Vectra manages all package updates, the transition will be transparent to customers.

Is Vectra planning to upgrade the base OS sometime soon?

• Vectra manages the OS upgrades and performs full OS upgrades when new OS capabilities are introduced and in advance of operating system end of support.

• Vectra utilizes ESM support to extend the lifetime of our operating system and provide a stable and reliable product.

• OS upgrades will be planned and executed in advance of ESM support expiring and will be communicated in the Vectra release notes.