What's changed in IBM MQ 9.3.0 Long Term Support

Note: From 1Q 2023, for Multiplatforms, there are two types of maintenance:

• Fix packs, which contain roll-ups of all defects fixed since the previous fix pack delivery (or GA). Fix packs are produced exclusively for Long Term Support (LTS) releases during their normal support lifecycle.
• Cumulative security updates (CSUs), which are smaller updates and contain security patches released since the previous maintenance (GA). CSUs are produced for LTS releases (including releases in extended support), and also for the latest IBM MQ Continuous Delivery (CD) release, as required to deliver relevant security patches.

For maintenance releases in or after 1Q 2023, the fourth digit in the VRMF represents either a fix pack number or a CSU number. Both types of maintenance are mutually cumulative (that is, they contain everything included in older CSUs and fix packs), and both are installed using the same mechanisms for applying maintenance. Both types of maintenance update the F-digit of the VRMF to a higher number than any previous maintenance: fix packs use "F" values divisible by 5, CSUs use "F" values not divisible by 5.

For maintenance releases before 1Q 2023, the fourth digit in the VRMF always represents the fix pack level. For example, the first fix pack of the IBM MQ 9.3.0 LTS release is numbered 9.3.0.1.

For more information, see Changes to IBM MQ's maintenance delivery model.

Note: The IBM MQ Bridge to blockchain component of IBM MQ Advanced is deprecated across all releases from November 22 2022 (see US Announcement letter 222-341) and IBM intends to remove the capability from Long Term Support releases in upcoming fix packs. Blockchain connectivity can be achieved with IBM App Connect or through App Connect capabilities available with IBM Cloud Pak® for Integration. If you have applications that will be impacted by this change, please contact IBM Support.