On Tue, Aug 20, 2024 at 03:17:02PM +0000, Andy Smith wrote: > > Then there is the fact that the LTS team can and does mark packages > as unsupportable for the lifetime of LTS when they need to, so just > because LTS team exists doesn't mean they can get around to > supporting 32-bit x86 installer/kernel. I would not be at all > surprised if they gave up on it before the end of bookworm LTS. > Some other things to consider.
Once the LTS team takes over maintenance of a given release, the kernel updates switch to a backport of the kernel from release+1. For instance, with buster (which shipped with linux-4.19) since it switched to being under the responsibility of the LTS team has received backports of linux-5.10 (from bullseye). So, if you're thinking about the lifetime of bullseye (which will extend another 2-ish years from now under LTS), then it will receive backports of the bookworm kernel. If that kernel version discontinues 32-bit support (to where it cannot be feasibly maintained in bookworm), then it will likewise cease to have 32-bit support in bullseye. As far as installers, the LTS team does not produce installers. The installer team's commitment is only for 3 years following release, so whatever installers are available are the only ones which will be available. But, as has been stated elsewhere in this discussion, new installs of 32-bit x86 are not a good idea. Relatedly, if you find yourself creating a fresh install of a 3, 4, or 5 years old Debian release, you should really question whether that is a good idea. And then realize that if you decide to install anyways that support will become progressively more challenging. Regards, -Roberto -- Roberto C. Sánchez
