Chapter 2. Understanding update channels
You can use update channels to specify which Red Hat OpenShift AI minor version you intended to update your Operator to. Update channels also allow you to choose the timing and level of support your updates have through the fast, stable, stable-x.y eus-x.y, and alpha channel options.
The subscription of an installed Operator specifies the update channel, which is used to track and receive updates for the Operator. You can change the update channel to start tracking and receiving updates from a newer channel. For more information about the release frequency and the lifecycle associated with each of the available update channels, see Red Hat OpenShift AI Self-Managed Life Cycle.
| Channel | Support | Release frequency | Recommended environment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| One month of full support | Every month |
Production environments with access to the latest product features. Select this streaming channel with automatic updates to avoid manually upgrading every month. |
|
| Three months of full support | Every three months |
Production environments with stability prioritized over new feature availability. Select this streaming channel with automatic updates to access the latest stable release and avoid manually upgrading. |
|
| Seven months of full support | Every three months |
Production environments with stability prioritized over new feature availability.
Select numbered stable channels (such as |
|
| Seven months of full support followed by Extended Update Support for eleven months | Every nine months |
Enterprise-grade environments that cannot upgrade within a seven month window. Select this streaming channel if you prioritize stability over new feature availability. |
|
| One month of full support | Every month |
Development environments with early-access features that might not be functionally complete.
Select this channel to use early-access features to test functionality and provide feedback during the development process. Early-access features are not supported with Red Hat production service level agreements (SLAs). For more information about the support scope of Red Hat Technology Preview features, see Technology Preview Features Support Scope. For more information about the support scope of Red Hat Developer Preview features, see Developer Preview Features Support Scope. |
The embedded and beta channels are legacy channels that will be removed in a future release. Do not select the embedded or beta channels for a new Operator installation.
