GitHub Actions / Azure DevOps Images Use Old Az Version, Refuse To Update

[sharpjs]

GitHub Actions and Azure DevOps runner images are stuck on Az 9.3.0. The responsible team refuses to update Az despite numerous requests (like this one), citing unnamed "maintenance concerns" and "potential customer impact". This ignores the negative customer impact of having to install a newer Az in each job that needs it. One workflow or pipeline can contain many such jobs. The explanation also falls flat when almost every image update includes an updated AWSPowershell module.

Can someone responsible for the Az module please talk to someone responsible for the GHA/AzDO runner images in order to get this policy changed? The runner images could at least cache a newer Az version so that installing it goes faster.

[cpc-camarj]

Appears related to #24112

[YanaXu]

Hi @sharpjs,

We're glad to see this ask. I think you have noticed the following points and I want to list them here in case others may have the same question.

• GitHub Action and Azure Pipelines are sharing the same images, whose repo is https://github.com/actions/runner-images.
• The pre-installed Az (Azure PowerShell) version in windows/unbuntu images is 9.3.0.
• GitHub Action and Azure Pipelines users can choose other Azure PowerShell versions with the help of Azure PowerShell Action and Azure PowerShell Task.
  • If users choose other Azure PowerShell versions, the specific Azure PowerShell version will be downloaded in runtime. The download will take a while.

We do want to upgrade the Azure PowerShell version to latest in runner images. And we're discussing this with runner images team. However, there are a lot of details to consider and that may take time. For example, integration test, fall back methods, issue report methods, etc.

It's not a blocking issues for users since you can always choose a specific Azure PowerShell version as you like. But we understand it's annoying. We will continue to follow up on it. Hope we can get back to you with good news soon.

[YanaXu]

Appears related to #24112

Hi @cpc-camarj , it's not related to https://github.com/Azure/azure-powershell/issues/24112. https://github.com/Azure/azure-powershell/issues/24112 blocks user from updating local Az modules, whereas Jeff was talking Action Image team building their images with latest Az.