Time is running out for 32-bit ARM

["Peter Müller" <peter.mueller@ipfire.org>]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 1438 bytes --]

Hello *,

in January [1], we already discussed the situation of 32-bit ARM, and settled on
demoting this architecture as "legacy" on [2], and advising people from buying new
32-bit ARM hardware in the wiki.

To some extends, this architecture shares a similar fate than 32-bit Intel did:
Security features are not backported to it, maintenance requires a lot of effort
due to missing upstream support, hardware base is diminishing, and its IPFire
userbase does not justify the resources required for keeping the distribution
reasonably maintained on this architecture.

The other night, we have therefore agreed on putting an end to IPFire support for
32-bit ARM, and take the question of the anticipated timeframe to this mailing list.
[3]

At the time of writing, Fireinfo reports 0.94% of all IPFire installations to run
on supported 32-bit ARM devices, to give you a figure. [4]

Personally, since these devices are unlikely to run in enterprises or other critical
environments, I would be fine with announcing EOL for 32-bit ARM at the end of
this year. However, as I am not running any affected IPFire installations, my
opinion is biased - let's hear yours. :-)

Thanks in advance for your reply, and best regards,
Peter Müller

[1] https://wiki.ipfire.org/devel/telco/2022-01-03
[2] https://www.ipfire.org/download
[3] https://wiki.ipfire.org/devel/telco/2022-08-01
[4] https://fireinfo.ipfire.org/