Tutoriel Linux

Linux LTS: what it really changes for your updates

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À retenirLinux n'est pas réservé aux experts. Le bon point de départ : une distribution accessible, une sauvegarde propre et quelques commandes comprises.

You often see the term Linux LTSBut it doesn’t always mean the same thing. It can refer to the Linux kernel, a distribution like Ubuntu LTS, or extended security support on the Debian side. If you administer a server or workstation that you don’t want to reinstall every six months, the distinction really matters.

In my case, I don’t choose an LTS version because it seems more “serious.” I choose it when the machine needs to remain stable, receive its security patches, and avoid major changes at the wrong time. For a server, a home NAS, or a critical workstation, this is often the right approach.

Illustration of Linux LTS with Tux, server, maintenance schedule, and security shield

What LTS really means

LTS generally means Long Term SupportTherefore, long-term support. The idea is simple: for a given period, the version receives security and maintenance updates without abruptly changing its technical basis.

However, be aware that an LTS distribution and an LTS kernel are not the same thing. An LTS distribution, like Ubuntu LTS, provides a coherent package: kernel, system packages, libraries, repositories, and support cycle. The LTS kernel, on the other hand, primarily concerns the long-term maintained branch of the kernel. The website kernel.org publishes the list of maintained kernel branches and their status.

For everyday use, first look at your distribution’s support cycle. The kernel matters, of course, but your security also depends on the packages you install around it.

Check what you are actually using

Before deciding what to update, start by identifying the distribution, its version, and the kernel loaded at boot.

cat /etc/os-release
uname -r
hostnamectl

On Ubuntu, you can also check the version with:

lsb_release -a

The kernel number, for example 6.8.0-xx-genericThis alone is not sufficient. It must be read in conjunction with the distribution version. An Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is not managed like a stable Debian, even though both can use a well-maintained kernel.

What LTS changes for your updates

With an LTS version, you’re not looking for the latest and greatest. You’re primarily looking for predictable fixes. Security updates do arrive, but major behavioral changes are usually limited. This is what makes these versions valuable on a server, a production machine, or a workstation you’re troubleshooting for someone else.

On Debian or Ubuntu, the basics remain classic:

sudo apt update
apt list --upgradable
sudo apt upgrade

I prefer to check the package list before committing, especially on a remote server. If a kernel, network package, OpenSSH, systemd, or an important driver is involved, schedule a separate time slot. A reboot might be necessary, and that’s not the kind of surprise you want to discover mid-operation.

To prepare for this restart, you can reread the guide on systemctl reboot and checks before shutting down a serverAfter the update, a visit to journalctl at last startup It also allows you to quickly identify a service that has not restarted correctly.

LTS does not mean fixed forever

That’s the trap. An LTS version remains supported, but it has an end date. Ubuntu documents its publication and support cycleDebian also documents its LTS support, with rules that do not necessarily cover all packages in all cases.

So no, installing an LTS version doesn’t exempt you from following the support schedule. If your server is still running a version nearing its end of support, you may receive fewer patches, or have to upgrade to an extended support plan depending on the distribution. For a server exposed to the internet, I wouldn’t let it drag on.

Desktop, server, NAS: the choice is not the same

On a server, an LTS version is often the simplest choice: fewer surprises, more predictable updates, and more stable documentation. On a recent desktop computer, it’s sometimes more nuanced. If you have a recent Wi-Fi card, a recent GPU, or a very new laptop, a newer kernel can improve hardware support.

On Ubuntu LTS, for example, the hardware stacks can change depending on the installed image and available kernel packages. Before switching kernel branches just for testing, check what you already have:

uname -r
apt policy linux-generic linux-generic-hwe-24.04

On a home NAS, I would be even more conservative. The priority isn’t having the latest kernel. It’s having a system that boots cleanly, visible disks, tested snapshots or backups, and updates that you understand.

My method before staying or migrating

  • I note the exact version of the distribution with cat /etc/os-release.
  • I check the loaded kernel with uname -r.
  • I’m looking at the available packages with apt list --upgradable.
  • I’m checking the end-of-support date for the distribution.
  • I back up important data before a version upgrade.
  • I’m testing the restart and critical services right after the update.

If the machine is stable, supported, and bug-fixed, I don’t migrate just to have a newer version listed in the system details. If it’s nearing the end of its support lifecycle, if the hardware is poorly recognized, or if the packages are becoming too outdated for your needs, then yes, you need to prepare for the future properly.

A Long Term Storage (LTS) isn’t a magic bullet. It’s a compromise: less movement, more predictability, but a schedule to keep an eye on. For a machine you need to maintain without stress, that’s often exactly what’s required.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade