I tested out the staged Maven artifacts from https://repository.apache.org/content/groups/staging/org/apache/kafka/ against the Kroxylicious test suite. This relies on both kafka client and server artefacts. No issues encountered.
Thank you +1 (non binding) On Fri, 15 May 2026 at 15:58, Josep Prat via dev <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Mickael, > > I did the following: > - checked the signatures and checksums > - build from source > - ran the test locally > - Tested Docker Images: > -- can start > -- can create topics > - ran quickstart > - ran sample apps with consumer groups > - checked Java client interaction from artifacts (admin, producer, consumer > and streams) > - checked Tiered Storage offloads to remote storage (with Aiven's plugin) > - checked Kafka Connect > > +1 (binding for me) > > Thanks for running the release! > > Best, > > On Fri, May 15, 2026 at 3:52 PM Lianet Magrans <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Hi Mickael, > > > > I did the following on RC2: > > - verified the checksums and signature > > - downloaded and build from source (java 21) + run quickstart > > - played with basic produce/consume, classic and consumer groups, mixed > > groups, online upgrade/downgrade > > - downloaded docker images & run quick start with both > > - browsed the docs > > > > +1 (binding) > > > > Thanks for running the release! > > Lianet > > > > On Fri, May 15, 2026 at 9:17 AM Jakub Scholz <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > I did the same tests as with the previous RCs, all using the staged > > > binaries and everything seems to work fine. +1 (non-binding) from me. > > > > > > Thanks for running the release Mickael. > > > > > > Jakub > > > > > > On Wed, May 13, 2026 at 2:15 PM Mickael Maison <[email protected] > > > > > > wrote: > > > > > > > Hello Kafka users, developers and client-developers, > > > > > > > > This is the 3rd candidate for release of Apache Kafka 4.3.0. > > > > > > > > Since RC2, we've added fixes for: > > > > - https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/KAFKA-20380 > > > > - https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/KAFKA-20571 > > > > - https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/KAFKA-20572 > > > > > > > > Release notes for the 4.3.0 release: > > > > > > > > > https://dist.apache.org/repos/dist/dev/kafka/4.3.0-rc2/RELEASE_NOTES.html > > > > > > > > *** Please download, test and vote by May 20, 5pm CEST > > > > > > > > Kafka's KEYS file containing PGP keys we use to sign the release: > > > > https://downloads.apache.org/kafka/KEYS > > > > > > > > * Release artifacts to be voted upon (source and binary): > > > > https://dist.apache.org/repos/dist/dev/kafka/4.3.0-rc2/ > > > > > > > > * Docker release artifacts to be voted upon: > > > > apache/kafka:4.3.0-rc2 > > > > apache/kafka-native:4.3.0-rc2 > > > > > > > > * Maven artifacts to be voted upon: > > > > https://repository.apache.org/content/groups/staging/org/apache/kafka/ > > > > > > > > * Javadoc: > > > > > > > > > https://dist.apache.org/repos/dist/dev/kafka/4.3.0-rc2/javadoc/index.html > > > > > > > > * Tag to be voted upon (off 4.3 branch) is the 4.3.0 tag: > > > > https://github.com/apache/kafka/releases/tag/4.3.0-rc2 > > > > > > > > * Documentation: > > > > PR: https://github.com/apache/kafka-site/pull/853 > > > > > > > > * Protocol: > > > > PR: https://github.com/apache/kafka-site/pull/853 > > > > > > > > * Successful CI builds for the 4.3 branch: > > > > Unit/integration tests: > > > > https://github.com/apache/kafka/actions/runs/25797645206 > > > > System tests: Build is running > > > > > > > > * Successful Docker Image Github Actions Pipeline for 4.3 branch: > > > > Docker Build Test Pipeline (JVM): > > > > https://github.com/apache/kafka/actions/runs/25790809579 > > > > Docker Build Test Pipeline (Native): > > > > https://github.com/apache/kafka/actions/runs/25790821471 > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > Mickael > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > [image: Aiven] <https://www.aiven.io> > *Josep Prat* > Sr Engineering Director, Streaming Services, *Aiven* > [email protected] | +491715557497 > > aiven.io <https://www.aiven.io/> > > [image: LinkedIn] > <https://www.linkedin.com/company/aiven/posts/?feedView=all> [image: X] > <https://x.com/aiven_io> [image: GitHub] <https://github.com/aiven> [image: > YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/@Aiven_io> [image: Facebook] > <https://www.facebook.com/aivencloud> > *Aiven Deutschland GmbH* > Rosenthaler Straße 43-45, 10178 Berlin > Geschäftsführer: Oskari Saarenmaa, Kenneth Chen > Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, HRB 209739 B
