Container Compute Service (ACS) provides container-centric solutions based on open source Kubernetes. As new Kubernetes versions are released, new Kubernetes versions will be added to the list of Kubernetes versions supported by ACS. This topic describes how ACS supports different Kubernetes versions.
Release notes
The following table describes the major Kubernetes versions supported by ACS.
Version | Reference | Status | Release date | Expiration date |
1.30 | Released | August 2024 | June 2026 | |
1.28 | Released | June 2024 | October 2025 | |
1.26 | Released | June 2024 | April 2025 |
Release cycle
ACS supports only even-numbered Kubernetes major versions, such as 1.26, 1.28, and 1.30. ACS updates the list of supported Kubernetes major versions every six months. After a major version is added to the list, ACS will update its support for patch versions to support new features or patch vulnerabilities.
Version description
The Kubernetes versions supported by ACS follow the semantic versioning scheme in the x.y.z-aliyunacs.n format. x.y.z is the open source Kubernetes version. x is the major version, y is the major version, z is the patch version, and n is the ACS patch version. For example, version 1.26.15-aliyunacs.1 is based on open source Kubernetes 1.26.15. For more information about Kubernetes versions, see Kubernetes Release Versioning.
Rules for supporting Kubernetes versions
Cluster creation
ACS allows you to create clusters of the latest three even-numbered major versions. For example, the latest major versions are Kubernetes 1.26, 1.28, and 1.30. When ACS starts to support Kubernetes 1.32, you can no longer create clusters of Kubernetes 1.26. In addition, the outdated patch versions are no longer available.
Cluster update
ACS allows you to update clusters from a major version to the following major version. You cannot skip major versions when you update clusters. For patch versions, ACS allows you to update a cluster only to the latest patch version.
Technical support
ACS provides technical support for the latest three even-numbered major versions. Technical support provided by Alibaba Cloud includes consultation, online tutorials, and troubleshooting.
Risks of outdated Kubernetes versions
ACS provides the following support policies for clusters that run outdated Kubernetes versions:
Stop releasing new features
Stop fixing feature and security issues
Provide limited technical support
ACS does not guarantee that technical support can be provided at the first time except for issues related to cluster and component updates.
Reserve the right to force the clusters that run outdated Kubernetes versions to update
For availability and security purposes, after the Kubernetes version of a cluster becomes outdated, ACS forces the cluster to update to the earliest Kubernetes version supported by ACS. For example, if your cluster runs Kubernetes 1.24 and ACS supports Kubernetes versions 1.26, 1.28, and 1.30, ACS forces your cluster to update to 1.26.
ACS will send notifications to you by text messages, emails, or internal messages at least one month before the update. Pay attention to the notifications and prepare for the update in advance.