Xen 4.18 release schedule update and poll (was: RE: Xen 4.18 release: Proposed release schedule)

[Henry Wang <Henry.Wang@xxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

Following the discussion in April community call, here comes the two
updated possible release schedule options that I came up with.

Both of these two options will satisfy the requirements/concerns that
I've received so far. But I personally would prefer the option 2 as we
shouldn't expect there will be much progress happen in August due to
the EU holiday season. I wonder if anyone has any objections or alternate
suggestions.

Please don't hesitate to raise your concerns and opinions. I would
encourage that the feedback collection is cut off by the middle of May
(say May 19). If nobody will have anything better, then let's go option 2
by "lazy consensus". Thanks.

** Proposed option 1: Wed Aug 30, 2023 **
(+8 months from Xen 4.17 release)

- Last posting date          Fri Jun 16, 2023

Patches adding new features are expected to be posted to the mailing
list by this date, although perhaps not in their final version.

(Note that Xen Summit is Jun 24 - 26, 2023)

- Feature freeze             Fri Jul 7, 2023 (+3 weeks from Last posting date)

Patches adding new features should be committed by this date.
Straightforward bugfixes may continue to be accepted by maintainers.

- Code freeze                Fri Jul 21, 2023 (+2 weeks from Feature freeze)

Bugfixes only.

- Hard code freeze           Fri Aug 11, 2023 (+3 weeks from Code freeze)

Bugfixes for serious bugs (including regressions), and low-risk fixes only.

- Final commits              Fri Aug 25, 2023 (+2 weeks from Hard code freeze)

Branch off staging-4.18.

- Release                    Wed Aug 30, 2023


** Proposed option 2: Wed Sep 27, 2023 (or the first week of Oct)**
(+9 months from Xen 4.17 release)

- Last posting date          Fri Jul 14, 2023

Patches adding new features are expected to be posted to the mailing
list by this date, although perhaps not in their final version.

- Feature freeze             Fri Aug 4, 2023 (+3 weeks from Last posting date)

Patches adding new features should be committed by this date.
Straightforward bugfixes may continue to be accepted by maintainers.

- Code freeze                Fri Aug 18, 2023 (+2 weeks from Feature freeze)

Bugfixes only.

- Hard code freeze           Fri Sep 8, 2023 (+3 weeks from Code freeze)

Bugfixes for serious bugs (including regressions), and low-risk fixes only.

- Final commits              Fri Sep 22, 2023 (+2 weeks from Hard code freeze)

Branch off staging-4.18.

- Release                    Wed Sep 27, 2023

Kind regards,
Henry