Sylva v1.6.0 is now available, bringing a focused set of upgrades that make it easier to run, evolve, and secure cloud-native telco infrastructure, without adding operational drag. From Kubernetes 1.33 support to GitOps-managed workload clusters, plus new storage, networking, and security enhancements, Sylva 1.6 helps platform teams move faster while staying in control.
What’s new in Sylva 1.6
1) Kubernetes 1.33 support (and clearer upgrade path)
Sylva 1.6 brings full compatibility with Kubernetes 1.33 and ends support for older Kubernetes versions (including 1.28). For workload clusters, Sylva 1.6 supports Kubernetes 1.31, 1.32, and 1.33, aligning your fleets with current upstream capabilities and lifecycle expectations.
2) GitOps management for workload clusters
This release introduces GitOps management of workload clusters, making cluster deployment and updates more consistent, reviewable, and repeatable—especially valuable when you’re managing many environments or enforcing standardized blueprints across sites.
3) More choice and performance headroom (experimental options included)
Sylva 1.6 expands flexibility for advanced deployments with:
- Experimental Cilium CNI support for fresh cluster installs
- Experimental GPU configuration support for workload clusters
- Experimental Ceph CSI RBD for using an external Ceph cluster
- Experimental NMState operator support (noted as available only on openSUSE Leap Micro OS)
These additions help teams test and evolve towards higher-performance networking and accelerated workloads while staying within a known Sylva framework.
4) Storage updates: Trident CSI + stronger Longhorn capabilities
For teams running on NetApp appliances, Sylva 1.6 adds Trident CSI support. It also upgrades Longhorn to 1.9.2 and adds Longhorn volume encryption, strengthening both storage integration and data protection.
5) Security and policy improvements built in
Sylva 1.6 includes OpenBao as the default (switching from Vault by default) as well as NeuVector federation support and support for NeuVector on workload clusters. Together, these changes help standardize secret management defaults and extend security tooling more uniformly across your environment.
6) Operational simplification: automated role management
Sylva now automates Rancher role management, reducing manual steps and the risk of configuration drift as teams, clusters, and access needs scale.
Why it matters
Sylva 1.6 is a practical “keep moving” release: it tightens your alignment to upstream Kubernetes, makes workload cluster operations more declarative with GitOps, expands options for modern CNIs and accelerated workloads, and improves security and storage foundations—all while keeping upgrades straightforward.
Notably, the release notes report no breaking changes between 1.5 and 1.6, and a substantial volume of work landed between versions (484 merge requests), signaling both stability and momentum.
Visit this link for details on how to upgrade to Sylva 1.6.
Thank you and congratulations to everyone across the community who worked on this release!
