Last Updated 2/10/2026
To support Temple University’s operating system lifecycle standards and security requirements, Information Technology Services (ITS) is transitioning the TUcloud platform from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to Oracle Enterprise Linux (OEL). As a result, RHEL operating systems will no longer be available on the TUcloud platform after April 30, 2026.
Why Is the RHEL Environment Being Replaced?
Platform Standardization
Oracle Enterprise Linux will become the supported Linux operating system on the TUcloud platform. This establishes a consistent enterprise Linux standard and allows ITS to enforce a predictable operating system lifecycle aligned with university policy.
Operating System Currency
Temple enforces a five-year operating system lifecycle to prevent the accumulation of unsupported environments. This lifecycle applies to all TUcloud-hosted systems and requires timely upgrades to remain supported.
Security
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 will reach the end of its extended support lifecycle in April 2026. The Office of Information Security has begun formal communication regarding this milestone. Operating systems beyond vendor support increase security risk and cannot be sustained within the university environment.
Transition Process
The transition will be completed by April 2026 and will occur in two required phases. (Completion of Phase 1 is required to proceed to Phase 2.)
- Upgrade Phase (Required by End of February 2026)
• All systems currently running RHEL 7 must be upgraded to RHEL 8 or RHEL 9 by February 27, 2026.
• This upgrade is required to maintain vendor support and security compliance.
• Upgrading to RHEL 8 or RHEL 9 is a prerequisite for migration to Oracle Enterprise Linux.
• Systems that are not upgraded by this date will not be eligible for migration.
- Migration Phase (March–April 2026)
• Systems upgraded to RHEL 8 or RHEL 9 will be migrated to Oracle Enterprise Linux 9.
• This migration completes the platform transition off of RHEL.
• Future upgrades will align with Oracle Enterprise Linux 10 as it becomes available.
Note: During the transition period, new server requests may temporarily be built using RHEL 9 and will be migrated to Oracle Enterprise Linux as part of this effort.
Timeline and Enforcement Dates
- February 27, 2026
Deadline to upgrade all RHEL 7 systems to RHEL 8 or RHEL 9.
This step is required to enable migration to Oracle Enterprise Linux.
- April 2026
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 reaches end of extended support.
- RHEL is removed as a supported operating system on the TUcloud platform.
- Oracle Enterprise Linux becomes the standard Linux operating system.
Enforcement for Unsupported RHEL 7 Systems
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 will no longer be supported after April 2026.
RHEL 7 systems will not be permitted on the TUcloud platform or allowed to access university network resources beyond this date. Any system still running RHEL 7 after April 2026 will require an explicitly approved, time-limited exception and may be subject to additional technical restrictions, including removal of internet access.
University Impact
This effort enforces operating system lifecycle standards, reduces security exposure, and establishes Oracle Enterprise Linux as the long-term Linux platform for the TUcloud environment. Timely completion of the RHEL 7 upgrade is required to avoid service disruption and enforcement actions.
Questions?
If you are unable to upgrade or migrate a system, or believe an exception is required, contact ITS Operations as soon as possible by clicking the Oracle Enterprise Linux Inquiry button on this page.