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Azul Zulu for Azure: Enterprise Edition FAQ

What is Azul Zulu for Azure – Enterprise Edition?

Azul Zulu for Azure – Enterprise Edition (EE) is a collection of certified builds of OpenJDK that are fully
compliant and compatible with the Java SE standard on x64 reference architecture systems. These
binaries are free to download under the following conditions:

  • They are used for Java apps developed and deployed in Microsoft Azure, Azure Stack, or
    Microsoft SQL Server. This includes local development and testing
  • They are used in Microsoft SQL Server or Azure DevOps Server (aka, Microsoft Team Foundation
    Server)

These binaries may not be used for any other purpose.

NOTICE: Planned End of Updates, Joint Support, and Availability of the Zulu for Azure Distribution
Starting January 1, 2022, Microsoft and Azul will no longer provide updates or joint support services for
the Zulu for Azure OpenJDK-based distribution. While customers can use existing binaries in perpetuity,
quarterly bug fixes and security updates will end on December 31, 2021. In addition, access to binary
repositories and user download site for Zulu for Azure distribution may no longer be available after June
30, 2022. For more information, please visit Bruno Borges’ blog.

What is a “certified” build of OpenJDK?

Zulu for Azure EE is verified compliant with the Java Standard Edition (“Java SE”) specifications using the
OpenJDK Community Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK). The TCK is a suite of more than 110,000 unit
tests which ensures that a binary build of OpenJDK meets all the specifications of the individual JSRs for
a given version of Java SE (e.g. Java 8).

How is Zulu for Azure EE licensed?

Zulu for Azure EE is licensed identically to OpenJDK, which is under GPLv2 with Classpath Exception in
addition to other third party licenses.

What Zulu for Azure EE packages and Java versions are available?

Today, Zulu for Azure EE supports all Java LTS (Long Term Support) and MTS (Medium Term Support)
releases, including Java 7, 8 and 11 as well as Java 13 & 15. Bundles include JDKs, JREs, and Headless
JREs in zip, MSI, RPM, tar.gz, and DMG packages.

What Operating systems will Zulu for Azure EE support?

Zulu for Azure EE binaries are available for:

  • Windows Client 10, 10 IoT Core, 8.1, 8, 7 and Server 2008 R2 and later
  • Linux, including RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, SLES, Debian, Oracle Linux
  • Mac OS X
  • Docker containers

Does Azul upstream code changes back to OpenJDK project?

Yes, Azul’s OpenJDK committers do upstream changes back to the OpenJDK community. However,
upstreaming changes can take as much as 6 months before the project approves changes and fixes find
their way back into the OpenJDK community code base.

Where are Zulu for Azure EE binaries available and how are they supported?

As a result of the strategic partnership with Azul Systems, Microsoft Azure-based Java developers will be
able to consume TCK tested builds of OpenJDK from multiple locations and in a variety of package types.
Microsoft Azure Support in conjunction with Azul, will provide support and updates for these binaries until
January 2021 (see NOTICE about). Azure Stack Java developers will not have to pay license or support
fees to any third party for Java support. Additional information about these new capability for Java
developers is available on the Azure blog at https://azure.microsoft.com/blog/.

Current distributions of Zulu for Azure EE and Azure Stack users include the following:

  • Zulu packages for Azure via Apt repository: https://repos.azul.com/azure-only/zulu/apt/
  • Zulu packages for Azure via Yum repository: https://repos.azul.com/azure-only/zulu/yum/
  • Downloadable bundles for Azure are available on the Azul Azure Partner website at
    https://www.azul.com/downloads/azure-only/zulu/
  • Zulu Docker images via the Microsoft Container Registry, located at
    https://mcr.microsoft.com/
  • Zulu Dockerfiles are available from the Microsoft GitHub repository at
    https://github.com/microsoft/java/
  • Machine images incorporating Zulu are also available for Ubuntu and Windows on the Azure
    Marketplace at https://azuremarketplace.microsoft.com/enus/marketplace/apps?search=zulu

Where can I get answers to general questions about Azul Zulu?

Azul has a Zulu Community site at https://foojay.io/ that Java developers can join and participate in.