Forum Discussion
Confused about Semi-Annual Channel (Pilot) and Semi-Annual Channel (Broad) Timing
So the pilot comes on on a March and September timing. So the first will be 1709. So right now the latest CB is 1703. Does it become the last CBB or the first Semi-Annual Channel (Broad)? Is ...
That's why we're changing the terminology :-)
What's important are releases to the Semi-Annual Channel. Don't focus so much on "Pilot" vs. "Broad" - those are just "states" or "statuses" of a particular release.
This is what I'm hearing:
- 1709 is released in September 2017. It's dubbed "Semi Annual (Pilot)", and the 18 month clock starts ticking immediately.
- A few months later (January 2018, if we're matching the Office Pro Plus timeline), 1709 is declared ready for Semi Annual (Broad). The 18 month clock is now at 15 months.
- 15 Months later (March 2019), 1709 is no longer supported. There is no 60-day "grace period", as that was removed with implementation of this new servicing schedule.
Would that be an accurate life for 1709, under the new model?
Yes, that's pretty much accurate. We do have to work out the finer points (e.g. if a release happens on the 2nd of the month, does the 18 months mean the last security update will be on the Patch Tuesday before that, or the Patch Tuesday after that).