check-support-status

Display packages whose support is limited, has already ended or will end earlier than the distribution's end of life

$ check-support-status

$ check-support-status --type [ended]

$ check-support-status --no-heading

check-support-status [OPTIONS]

--json
    Outputs the support status information in JSON format, suitable for scripting.

--full-json
    Provides a more verbose JSON output, including detailed information about each service.

--color
    Forces colored output, even if the terminal doesn't seem to support it.

--no-color
    Disables colored output.

--version
    Displays the version of the ubuntu-advantage-tools package.

--help
    Shows a help message and exits.

check-support-status is a utility specifically designed for Ubuntu systems to query and display the current status of various Ubuntu Pro services and entitlements. These services include Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) for packages, kernel Livepatch, FIPS compliance, and other enterprise-grade features provided by Canonical. It provides an at-a-glance overview of which Pro features are enabled, disabled, or available on the system.

The command is part of the ubuntu-advantage-tools package and is crucial for administrators managing Ubuntu servers and desktops within an Ubuntu Pro ecosystem, ensuring that critical security updates and features are active and properly configured. It helps in quickly identifying if a system is receiving the necessary support and updates.

check-support-status is not a standard, universally available Linux command. It is specific to Ubuntu and other Debian-based systems that have the ubuntu-advantage-tools package installed and are participating in the Ubuntu Pro ecosystem.
Its functionality relies on an active Ubuntu Pro subscription or an enabled Ubuntu Advantage free tier for personal use, which requires a connection to Canonical's servers for authentication and service status checks.
Running this command on a system without these prerequisites will likely result in an error or a message indicating that Ubuntu Pro is not enabled.

The command typically displays a clear table indicating the status of various services like ESM Apps, ESM Infra, Livepatch, FIPS, etc. Statuses can include 'enabled' (active and providing benefits), 'disabled' (not active), or 'available' (can be enabled with ua enable <service>). An 'error' status indicates a problem querying the service.

This command is provided by the ubuntu-advantage-tools package, which must be installed on your Ubuntu system. This package also includes the ua (or pro) command-line client, which is used for enabling and disabling Ubuntu Pro services.

The check-support-status command emerged as part of Canonical's ubuntu-advantage-tools suite. This suite was developed to provide and manage commercial support features for Ubuntu users, particularly focusing on enterprise environments. Its development paralleled the growth of Ubuntu Pro, which offers Extended Security Maintenance (ESM), kernel Livepatching, FIPS 140-2 compliance, and other enhanced services. The command serves as a quick diagnostic tool within this ecosystem, allowing administrators to verify the active status of these critical support features on their systems, ensuring compliance and security.

ua(1), pro(1), apt(8), livepatch(8)