Fedora 24 Server Plans To Drop i686 Support

Besides the recent call to drop i686 from being a primary Fedora release architecture so that i686-specific issues wouldn't be release blockers, the Fedora Server SIG is planning to drop i686 entirely with Fedora 24.

The Fedora Server folks want to stop producing i686 installation media for Fedora Server beginning with Fedora 24. "The Fedora Server SIG has determined that we no longer feel that i686 install media is critical to our success. Since delivering and maintaining each install medium requires significant effort, the Server SIG has decided to stop shipping i686 media. This includes both the Server Install DVD and the Server Network Install ISO...This will reduce the maintenance burden on Fedora QA, reduce the compose time for rel-eng and reduce user confusion as to which version of Fedora Server to install," reads this Fedora change proposal.

The Fedora i686 repositories will be there, but the Fedora Server SIG doesn't want to promote installing any new x86 32-bit servers. This change wouldn't affect Fedora Workstation or other spins of Fedora that could continue producing i686 spins if they so desire.

Thankfully various ISVs have also been dropping 32-bit Linux support and other distributions continuing to weigh the benefits of still spinning i686 ISOs, so hopefully sooner rather than later the modern Linux desktop can finally burn i686 with fire.