LXC 6.0 LTS has been released with new features, improvements, and support until 2029

The LXC team has unveiled LXC 6.0 LTS, the latest iteration of their Linux container project, following two years of development since the LXC 5.0 launch. This marks the sixth LTS release for the project.

The latest version brings a host of new features, including a multi-call binary that significantly reduces disk space, particularly beneficial for embedded platforms. A set_timeout function has also been added to the library, offering a global timeout for interactions with the LXC monitor.

IPv6 is now enabled by default on the default lxcbr0 bridge, utilizing an IPv6 ULA subnet. Additionally, LXC 6.0 LTS introduces support for uid/gid selection in lxc-usernsexec, enhancements to lxc-checkconfig, and compatibility with squashfs OCI images.

In terms of system interaction, LXC has transitioned to using libdbus-1 for DBus interactions with systemd, replacing the previous libsystemd. Notably, support for the Upstart init system has been discontinued in LXC.

LXC 6.0 will receive support until June 2029. Meanwhile, the current LTS release, LXC 5.0, will shift to a slower maintenance schedule, focusing primarily on critical bug fixes and security updates.

In a bid to make new features more accessible, the LXC team plans to resume non-LTS releases, with an anticipated release every six months. The first such release, LXC 6.1, is scheduled for October 2024. However, these versions will not have the LTS guarantees around stability, support, and security maintenance, and will be supported only until the subsequent release.