Lifecycle and support matrix
The following table details the IBM Spectrum Connect lifecycle with compatible IBM storage system microcodes and supported cloud interfaces.
IBM Spectrum Connect software packages can be downloaded at any time from IBM Fix Central.
- Refer to the VMware compatibility matrix for information about supported combinations of IBM storage system software versions supported by at least one Spectrum Connect version and various VMware cloud platforms.
- Starting from Spectrum Connect 3.7.0, IBM Storage
Enabler for Containers is no longer supported.
For information on continuing Kubernetes support for IBM block storage, see IBM block storage CSI (Container Storage Interface) driver. - Spectrum Virtualize family (including Storwize, FlashSystem, and SAN Volume Controller) microcode versions 8.4.x and 8.5.x include both LTS and Non-LTS releases. For more information, see IBM Spectrum Virtualize FAQ for Continuous Development (CD) Release Model for software releases.
- IBM Spectrum Virtualize family storage systems run the IBM Spectrum Virtualize software. In addition,
the IBM Spectrum Virtualize package is
available as a deployable solution that can be run on any compatible hardware.
The Spectrum Virtualize family includes SAN Volume Controller, FlashSystem, and Storwize family members built with Spectrum Virtualize (including 5xxx, 7xxx, 9xxx, V3xxx, V5xxx, V7xxx).
- Support for Storwize V3500 and, V3700, V5000 Gen1, and V7000 Gen1 systems ended in version 8.1.
- Support for FlashSystem 9100 systems began in version 8.2.1.
- Support for Storwize V5000E, V5100, and V7000 Gen3 systems began in version 8.2.1.
- Support for Storwize V5010 and Storwize V5020 systems ended in version 8.2.1.
- Support for FlashSystem 5010, 5030, 5100, 7200, and 9200 systems began in version 8.3.1.
- Support for Storwize V5030 and Storwize V5030F systems ended in version 8.3.1.
- Support for FlashSystem V9000 systems ended with version 8.3.x.
- Spectrum Virtualize as software only ended with version 8.3.x. Spectrum Virtualize as software only supports vVols but they cannot be used with HyperSwap.
- Support for FlashSystem 5015, 5035, and 5200 systems began in version 8.4.0.1.
- Storwize V7000 Gen2 and Storwize V7000 Gen2+ models are not supported in version 8.4.1 and later.
- Support for FlashSystem 7300 and 9500 systems began in version 8.5.0.0.
- Support for the following models and storage systems ends with version 8.5.0.x (LTS support only): SAN Volume Controller models DH8 and SV1; FlashSystem 5100, 5010, and 5030; Storwize V7000 G3, V5010E, V5030E, and V5100.
- For the latest XIV storage system support information, see the IBM XIV Storage Systems Code Update Recommendation website.
- For the latest FlashSystem A9000 and A9000R storage system support information, see the IBM FlashSystem A9000/A9000R Code Update Recommendation website.
| Spectrum Connect version | General availability | End of Support | IBM FlashSystem A9000/A9000R | XIV1 and Spectrum Accelerate | DS8000 Family | Spectrum Virtualize family and Storwize microcode versions | Supported operating systems and architectures | Supported cloud interfaces 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.10.0 | August 2022 | No | 12.3.2.c or later Note: vVols are not supported. |
Not supported |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. DS8900F: 9.0.x Note: vVols are not supported. |
7.8.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.2, 1.6.0, 1.6.1, 1.6.2 Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.0–7.7, 8.0, 8.2, 8.4–8.6 x86-64 | IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 3 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 4 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 5 |
| 3.9.0 | February 2022 | No | 12.3.2.c or later Note: vVols are not supported. |
Not supported |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. DS8900F: 9.0.x Note: vVols are not supported. |
7.8.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.2, 1.6.0, 1.6.1, 1.6.2 Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.0–7.7, 8.0, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5 x64 | IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 6 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 7 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 8 |
| 3.8.0 | June 2021 | No | 12.3.2.c or later Note: vVols are not supported. |
Not supported |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. DS8900F: 9.0.x Note: vVols are not supported. |
7.8.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.2, 1.6.0, 1.6.1, 1.6.2 Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.0–7.7, 8.0 x64
CentOS 7.0-7.7, 8.0 x64 |
IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 9 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 10 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 11 |
| 3.7.0 | February 2020 | No | 12.3.2.c or later Note: vVols are not supported. |
Not supported |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. DS8900F: 9.0.x Note: vVols are not supported. |
7.8.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.2, 1.6.0, 1.6.1, 1.6.2 Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.0–7.7 x64
CentOS 7.0-7.7 x64 |
IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 3 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 3, 12 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 4 |
| 3.6.3 | August 2019 |
Spectrum Accelerate:30 September 2022
FlashSystem A9000/R, DS8880, and Spectrum Virtualize family: 31 December 2022 XIV: No |
12.3.2.c or later Note: vVols are not supported. |
XIV: 11.6.2.x Spectrum Accelerate: 11.5.3.c, 11.5.4 Note: Can be managed using Spectrum Connect RESTful APIs. vVols are not supported. |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. |
Storwize V3500, V3700: 7.8.x Storwize V5000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.0 Storwize V7000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.0 SAN Volume Controller:: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.0 FlashSystem 9100: 8.2.x, 8.3.0 FlashSystem V9000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.0 Spectrum Virtualize as software only: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.0 Note: vVols are supported by version 7.8.x and above. However, they cannot be used with HyperSwap®. Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.x Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.3–6.9, 7.0–7.6 x64
CentOS 7.x x64 |
IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 3 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 3 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 4, 13 IBM Storage Enabler for Containers 4 |
| 3.6.2 | May 2019 | 31 December 2022 | 12.3.2.c or later Note: vVols are not supported. |
XIV: 11.6.2.x Spectrum Accelerate: 11.5.3.c, 11.5.4 Note: Can be managed using Spectrum Connect RESTful APIs. vVols are not supported. |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. |
Storwize V3500, V3700: 7.8.x Storwize V5000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x Storwize V7000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x SAN Volume Controller:: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x FlashSystem 9100: 8.2.x FlashSystem V9000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x Spectrum Virtualize as software only: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x Note: vVols are supported by version 7.8.x and above. However, they cannot be used with HyperSwap. Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.x Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.3–6.9, 7.0–7.6 x64
CentOS 7.x x64 |
IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 3 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 3 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 4, 6 IBM Storage Enabler for Containers 4 |
| 3.6.1 | March 2019 | 31 December 2022 | 12.3.2.c or later Note: vVols are not supported. |
XIV: 11.6.2.x Spectrum Accelerate: 11.5.3.c, 11.5.4 Note: Can be managed using Spectrum Connect RESTful APIs. vVols are not supported. |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. |
Storwize V3500, V3700: 7.8.x Storwize V5000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x Storwize V7000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x SAN Volume Controller:: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x FlashSystem 9100: 8.2.x FlashSystem V9000:7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x Spectrum Virtualize as software only: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x vVols are supported by version 7.8.x and above. However, they cannot be used with HyperSwap. Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.x Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.3–6.9, 7.0–7.6 x64
CentOS 7.x x64 |
IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 3 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 3 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 4, 6 IBM Storage Enabler for Containers 4 |
| 3.6.0 | December 2018 | 31 December 2022 | 12.3.2.c or later Note: vVols are not supported. |
XIV: 11.6.2.x Spectrum Accelerate: 11.5.3.c,
11.5.4 Note: Can be managed using Spectrum Connect RESTful APIs. vVols are not supported. |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.4.x, 8.5.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. Note: For IBM DS8000 Family, IBM Storage Enabler for Containers does not support IBM System Z (s390x) architecture. |
Storwize V3500, V3700: 7.8.x Storwize V5000, V7000, SAN Volume Controller: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x FlashSystem 9100: 8.2.x FlashSystem V9000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x Spectrum Virtualize as software only: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x vVols are supported by version 7.8.x and above. However, they cannot be used with HyperSwap. Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.x Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.3–6.9, 7.0–7.5 x64
CentOS 7.x x64 |
IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 3 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 3 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 4, 6 IBM Storage Enabler for Containers 4 |
| 3.5.0 | August 2018 | 31 December 2022 | 12.3.2.c or later Note: vVols are not supported. |
XIV: 11.6.2.x Spectrum Accelerate: 11.5.3.c,
11.5.4 Note: Can be managed using Spectrum Connect RESTful APIs. vVols are not supported. |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. Note: For IBM DS8000 Family, IBM Storage Enabler for Containers does not support IBM System Z (s390x) architecture. |
Storwize V3500, V3700, V5000, SAN Volume Controller: 7.8,
8.1.x FlashSystem 9100: 8.2.x FlashSystem V9000, Storwize V7000: 7.8.x, 8.1.x, 8.2.x Spectrum Virtualize as software only: 7.8.x, 8.1.x vVols are supported by version 7.8.x and above. However, they cannot be used with HyperSwap. Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.x Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.3–6.9, 7.0–7.5 x64
CentOS 7.x x64 |
IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 3 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 3 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 4, 6 IBM Storage Enabler for Containers 4 |
| 3.4.1 | June 2018 | 31 December 2022 | Not supported | XIV: 11.6.2.x Spectrum Accelerate: 11.5.3.c,
11.5.4 Note: Can be managed using Spectrum Connect RESTful APIs. vVols are not supported. |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. Note: For IBM DS8000 Family, IBM Storage Enabler for Containers supports x86 architecture only. |
Storwize V3500, V3700, V5000, V7000, SAN Volume Controller, FlashSystem
V9000: 7.8, 8.1.x Spectrum Virtualize as software only: 7.8.x, 8.1.x vVols are supported by version 7.8.x and above. However, they cannot be used with HyperSwap. Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.x Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.3–6.9, 7.0–7.3 x64
CentOS 7.x x64 |
IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 3 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 3 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 4, 6 IBM Storage Enabler for Containers 4 |
| 3.4.0 | March 2018 | 31 December 2022 | Not supported | XIV: 11.6.2.x Spectrum Accelerate: 11.5.3.c,
11.5.4 Note: Can be managed using Spectrum Connect RESTful APIs. vVols are not supported. |
DS8880: 8.0.1, 8.1.x, 8.2.x, 8.3.x Note: vSphere Web Client support is introduced by the bundle 88.1.xxx. vVols are not supported. Note: For IBM DS8000 Family, IBM Storage Enabler for Containers supports x86 architecture only. |
Storwize V3500, V3700, V5000, V7000, SAN Volume Controller, FlashSystem
V9000: 7.8, 8.1.x Spectrum Virtualize as software only: 7.8.x, 8.1.x vVols are supported by version 7.8.x and above. However, they cannot be used with HyperSwap. Version 8.1.2 does not support IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager. Storwize V7000 Unified: 1.5.x Note: Only block storage is supported. File shares and file systems are not supported. |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.3–6.9, 7.0–7.3 x64
CentOS 7.x x64 |
IBM Storage Provider for VMware VASA IBM Storage Enhancements for VMware vSphere Web Client IBM Storage Plug-in for VMware vRealize Orchestrator 3 IBM Storage Management Pack for VMware vRealize Operations Manager 3 IBM Storage Automation Plug-in for PowerShell 3, 4, 6 IBM Storage Enabler for Containers 4 |