Tree status
===========
We are now in feature freeze.
Until code freeze, straightforward bugfixes (and documentation
changes) may continue to be committed without a Release-Ack,
until the Code Freeze, which will be on Friday 29th October.[1]
Any patches introducing features should have been committed by now.
All patches containing substantial refactoring need a Release-Ack,
even if the intent is to fix bugs.
If in doubt please ask for a Release-Ack.
The current planned release schedule
====================================
Friday 29th October Code freeze
Bugfixes only, all changes to be approved by the Release Manager,
on the basis of a (progressively stricter[*]) risk assessment.
(2 weeks)
Friday 12th November **tentative** Hard code freeze [*]
Bugfixes for serious bugs (including regressions), and low-risk
fixes only.
(0.5 weeks)
Tuesday 16th November **tentative** Branch off staging-4.16
xen-unstable open again - with caveats to avoid release disruption.
(1.5 weeks)
Friday 26th November **tentative** Final commits (docs/prep only)
Week of 29th November **tentative** Release
(probably Tuesday or Wednesday)
Open issues and blockers
========================
I am aware of a number of oustanding bug fixes, particularly for x86.
I would appreciate attention from maintainers to these so that they
can be applied sooner rather than later. I don't believe any of these
have been explicitly flagged as RC, or regressions, but I think my
information may be incomplete.
In general, please would people explicitly note release-blocker issues
to me, so that I can see that they are sorted out.
I'm aware of one thing that I definitely want to see fixed before
release: the patch "Enable the existing x86 virtual PCI support for
ARM" needs rework. I believe this is in hand.
Ian.
[1] As previously discussed, this timescale has been compressed
by one week.
[*] The distinction between Code Freeze and Hard Code Freeze is a
matter of degree, not kind; the Hard Code Freeze data and associated
tighter policy text is indicative rather than normative.
