[Gluster-Maintainers] Gluster 4.0 release: Update from maintainers meeting

[Amar Tumballi]

Hey Ants,

Below is the message we want to get out from ant colony to users and
developer community this week. (Was pending AI on me since 2 weeks). I want
each of you to review this and give a Ack/No Ack on this.

Also if you think major edits are required for message, we can collaborate
on hackmd page :
https://hackmd.io/GwIwnGBmCsCM0FoDMsAcBTBAWADLLCYATLJiOmBVgMYAmAhvbLUA#

----------------
Hello,

2 weeks back we (most of the maintainers of Gluster projects) had a
meeting, and we discussed about features required for Gluster 4.0 and also
the possible dates.

Summary:


   - It is agreed unanimously that the Gluster 4.0 should be feature based
   release, and not just time based.
   - The discussions were on what are the blocking features for 4.0
   release, and below were some features which we are considering as blocker
   for release.
      -
*glusterd2: *

The scalable management interface, which will come with REST api and other
admin friendly options. Will be the ONLY major blocker for release.

   - *Thin clients (code: gfproxy):*

Not a blocker as it is slated to get into master branch before next release
cut on 3.x series too. But we are calling it a major feature of 4.0 as it
brings many benefits and also change some of the assumptions and current
design principles of glusterfs project.

   - *Protocol/XDR changes:*

Technically, Gluster's RPC is implemented in a way to support changing of
protocols inbetween even the minor releases, but the major changes like
adding another fop (like statx(), fadvise() or similar) will need some
protocol changes.
Also in discussion is the changes to dictionary structure on wire. We will
continue to work on each of this individually, and plan to work towards
meeting the release timeline.


   - *Dates: *The plan is to have the release around 2 months from the date
   the final blocker patch gets into master branch.
      - Tentative: October 20th to have last patch, and Jan 1st for release.
      - Warning: The above is literally 'tentative', and not to be assumed
      as confirmed dates.



*Other features users can anticipate:*

   - 'RIO volume type' [15].
   - Extension of snapshot support for zfs / btrfs
   - Better support and documentation for monitoring


*FAQ:*

*1. *Will we have 3.13 to continue the trend of 3 months release calendar?

Answer: Yes. It will not be a LTS release.


2. Would 4.0 be LTS release ?

Answer: No



More information on this topic can be found at :
https://hackmd.io/s/rJaLCP38b#

Further discussions on this will be done at Gluster Summit 2017 at Prague,
CZ. Try to attend in person if you can!!


Feedback welcome.


Regards,

Gluster team.

---------------------


I would like it to be going out just after the maintainers meeting this
week, so please have the comments on it before the meeting itself, so we
have most of the edits done before meeting. Lets not waste time on this on
maintainers meeting again.
-Amar
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