Compute Engine: RHEL 9.6 for SAP image end of support

At end of support (EOS), the image family is no longer usable. VMs on an EOS version continue to work and stay eligible for Google Cloud support, but Google might not be able to resolve issues tied to the deprecated OS version.

• OS providers stop providing image updates; you are responsible for acquiring updates.
• Images are marked deprecated but usable by direct reference, or deleted on the EOS date (Windows Server, SQL Server on Windows Server, Fedora CoreOS).
• With no extended support period, or past it, existing VMs can't download packages or security updates from the OS vendor, and Google's guest environment is no longer updated.

1. Check the lifecycle stage and the EOS and image deprecation date of RHEL 9.6 for SAP in Operating system details.
2. Where the images are marked deprecated and not deleted, you can create a VM from a deprecated image with the Google Cloud CLI or REST. Specify the image with the --image flag, because image families do not point to deprecated images.
3. Where the OS distributor or a partner offers a paid maintenance, extended or long-term support package, you can procure and enable it to continue receiving critical security patches and updates.
4. Review OS upgrade best practices to plan an upgrade to a supported OS version.