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embeddedTS Long Term Support

Long Term Software Support

A Software Strategy Built for Long-Life Hardware

embeddedTS platforms are designed for deployments that remain in the field for years – often more than a decade. To support that reality, our Linux strategy is built around Long-Term Support (LTS) kernels and distributions that prioritize stability, security maintenance, and predictable behavior across extended deployment timelines.

Why embeddedTS focuses on LTS kernel

Rapid kernel turnover introduces unnecessary risk in embedded environments where validation, certification, and field stability matter more than short-term feature adoption. LTS kernels provide:

  • Multi-year upstream maintenance windows
  • Backported security patches without API instability
  • Stable driver behavior across revisions
  • Reduced regression risk during updates

By building around LTS releases, embeddedTS delivers a consistent software foundation that allows engineering teams to lock down a design and maintain it confidently throughout production.

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Security Maintenance Without Disruption

Security updates are critical for devices that remain deployed for years. LTS kernels allow embeddedTS to continue providing security updates, enabling customers to ship:

  • Continuous vulnerability mitigation aligned with upstream CVE fixes
  • Backported patches without forcing major version migrations
  • Controlled update paths suitable for regulated environments

The goal is straightforward: maintain strong security posture without introducing instability into systems already operating in the field.

  • Platforms Included in the LTS program

    * = including baseboards
    TS-4100* TS-7180 TS-7553-V2 TS-7800-V2
    TS-4900* TS-7250-V3 TS-7670 TS-7970
    TS-7100 TS-7400-V2 TS-7680 TS-TPC-7990

    new platform onboarding

    All newly developed embeddedTS platforms automatically enroll in the LTS program once upstream support for the SoC matures sufficiently to effectively leverage LTS kernels. Contact us for details on newly developed platforms.


    Linux LTS Kernel Maintenance

    embeddedTS maintains LTS kernels at https://github.com/embeddedTS/linux-lts/, aligned with upstream mainline LTS releases. We maintain a ported LTS kernel for platforms that receive active security updates as they are released in the form of patch versions.

    • Major/Minor Versions (e.g., 5.10, 6.6): Require manual porting efforts and validation.
    • Patch Versions (e.g., 6.6.x): We use automated testing to deliver bug fixes and security updates rapidly. These are typically available in our linux-lts git repository within hours to a week of the kernel.org release.


    Debian Approach

    embeddedTS provides updated Debian-based releases where upstream support and platform constraints allow. All LTS platforms remain available through our distro-seed Debian BSP:
    https://github.com/embeddedTS/distro-seed/

    Target: We will release updated Debian images within 6 months of a new Debian release. (See Debian's LTS Release Schedule)


    Buildroot Support Included

    embeddedTS will provide support for LTS platforms in our Buildroot external BSP:
    https://github.com/embeddedTS/buildroot-ts

    Target: We will release an update to buildroot-ts within 6 months of a Buildroot LTS release. (See Buildroot's LTS Release Schedule)


    Yocto LTS Support Strategy

    embeddedTS maintains Yocto support through our BSP and layer repositories:
    https://github.com/embeddedTS/ts-oe-bsp/
    https://github.com/embeddedTS/meta-ts/

    Target: We will release an update to our Yocto BSP within 6 months of a Yocto LTS release. (See Yocto's Release Schedule)


    staying in sync with the ecosystem

    Our release cadence is designed to provide you with a secure, supported userspace and kernel environment. To maintain that security integrity, we align with upstream long-term support (LTS) cycles. As upstream interfaces evolve, some updates may require you to adapt your applications. Occasionally upstream decisions will change or deprecate specific features that are no longer viable to support long-term in the community. embeddedTS will review these deprecations based on our specific platform needs and address what may be possible to provide avenues of support, or determine if following the upstream provides the best support. By mirroring these changes, we ensure your devices run on a codebase that is actively maintained and patched by the global security community.


    longevity of updates

    To match our long product lifecycles, we will keep a platform in our LTS program as long as it is viable to support within the upstream ecosystem. Any necessary adjustments to the platform will be communicated from a PCS notice. With our continued efforts to upstream hardware support, we fully expect software support to remain available longer than a platform’s processor is available.


    deadline concerns?

    We want to ensure our roadmap aligns with yours. If you have specific production deadlines or certification requirements dependent on a pending release, please contact us.