FreeBSD/i386 Demoted to Tier 2 for FreeBSD 13.x
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FreeBSD/i386 demoted to Tier 2 for FreeBSD 13.x:
FreeBSD is designating i386 as a Tier 2 architecture starting withFreeBSD 13.0. The Project will continue to provide release images,binary updates, and pre-built packages for the 13.x branch. However,i386-specific issues (including SAs) may not be addressed in 13.x.The i386 platform will remain Tier 1 on FreeBSD 11.x and 12.x.
[...] The i386 (32-bit x86) architecture has been a substantial part of theFreeBSD Project's history and success. FreeBSD began with i386 as theonly supported architecture, and the ease of availability of i386computers was key to FreeBSD's growth and adoption. However, thecomputer industry and the x86 architecture have evolved over time.For at least the past decade, 64-bit x86 has been the dominant FreeBSDarchitecture both in terms of users and active development. TheFreeBSD/i386 user base has steadily declined and is now on par withother Tier 2 architectures. As a result, the i386 architecture willbe demoted to a Tier 2 architecture starting with FreeBSD 13.0.
[...] For FreeBSD 13.x, the FreeBSD project commits to providing release images, binary updates, and pre-built packages for i386. [...] The userland ABI will continue to be preserved in 13.xsimilar to other Tier 1 platforms.
For branches beyond 13.x (e.g. 14.x), the FreeBSD Project reserves the right to reduce the amount of [i386] support provided.
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