Introduction
Pacom UNISON follows a dual release model consisting of Long Term Support (LTS) and Short Term Support (STS) versions.
- LTS (Long Term Support) versions prioritize stability, reliability, and long-term maintenance. They receive extended support and are ideal for production environments.
- STS (Short Term Support) versions focus on innovation and new features, providing earlier access to upcoming capabilities with a shorter support window.
This approach ensures that our customers can choose between cutting-edge functionality and long-term operational stability depending on their project needs.
Support Policy
Pacom provides official support only for:
- The current LTS version of the product, and
- The latest STS version currently available.
All other versions are considered end-of-life (EOL) and will no longer receive bug fixes, security patches, or technical assistance.
Customers running older versions are encouraged to upgrade to one of the supported releases to maintain access to updates, security improvements, and technical support.
Definitions
Long Term Support (LTS)
A Long Term Support (LTS) version is a release maintained and supported for an extended period, emphasizing stability, reliability, and security over introducing new features.
Principles:
- Extended Support Period: Typically supported for 3–5 years or more.
- Stable APIs and Behavior: Designed for production environments where predictability is critical.
- Security and Maintenance Updates Only: Receives only security fixes, bug fixes, and critical updates.
- No Major Feature Additions: New features are introduced in STS versions first if not sure it will not effect the stability, not in LTS.
- Thoroughly Tested: Undergoes rigorous validation to ensure reliability for enterprise use.
Short Term Support (STS)
A Short Term Support (STS) version delivers the latest features, performance improvements, and technology updates on a faster release cycle, with a shorter maintenance period.
Principles:
- Shorter Support Lifecycle: Typically supported for 6–12 months.
- Feature-Focused: Introduces new features and APIs sooner.
- Rapid Release Cadence: Updates occur more frequently.
- Less Stability Guarantee: May include experimental or evolving features; not ideal for production.
- Upgrade Encouraged: Users are expected to upgrade frequently to stay supported.
- Preview for Future LTS: STS releases often serve as a testing ground for features that will later appear in an LTS release.
Summary
| Aspect | LTS Version | STS Version |
| Support Duration | Long (3–5 years) | Short (6–12 months) |
| Primary Focus | Stability & Security | Innovation & New Features |
| Update Frequency | Infrequent, maintenance only | Frequent, includes new features |
| API Stability | High (minimal breaking changes) | Moderate (may include breaking changes) |
| Recommended For | Production, enterprise environments | Testing, early adoption of new functionality |
| Upgrade Frequency | Low | High |
| Feature Additions | Rare | Frequent |
| Testing Level | Extensive | Moderate |
| End of Life (EOL) | After support period ends | Quickly after next release |