When planning to initially deploy or upgrade ArcGIS Enterprise, the deployment environment and software version you choose aligns with a specific product lifecycle. The product lifecycle outlines the level of technical and software support Esri will offer throughout the lifecycle of the software.
ArcGIS Enterprise is typically released twice a year for all deployment environments, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Kubernetes.
Windows and Linux environments
In ArcGIS Enterprise on Windows and Linux, each software release is designated as a short-term support or long-term support release.
- Short-term support releases—Even numbered releases, such as 11.2 and 11.4
- Long-term support releases—Odd numbered releases, such as 11.3 and 11.5
If you plan to upgrade your environment at least once per year, you can choose any available version, though it is recommended to use the latest available version. If you plan to upgrade less frequently, consider choosing the latest long-term support release.
Kubernetes environments
In ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes, there is no distinction between short-term and long-term support releases. Each software release remains in general availability status until a subsequent release is available, at which time it enters mature support. A release is retired after two subsequent releases are available.
For initial deployments, it is recommended to choose the latest release. For upgrades, it is recommended to upgrade to the latest release as it becomes available.
Additional resources
Learn more about the product lifecycle.