What's new

Each release offers new functions and improvements to help you take more innovation to the cloud, whether you are new to the product or if you are upgrading from a prior release. Review this information for a high-level summary of the new features in each release.

  • Critical security vulnerability updates for VMware
    In this release of IBM® Cloud Pak System (2.3.3.6 interim fix 2), the following critical security vulnerability updates are included for VMware vCenter Server Server:
    • VMware vCenter Server Server Windows 6.7 Update 3t
    • Windows 2012 Server standard edition patch KB5031407
    For a list of security vulnerability fixes for VMware and other components, see https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7091447.
  • IBM Spectrum Scale product rebranded to IBM Storage Scale

    The IBM Spectrum Scale product is rebranded to IBM Storage Scale from Version 5.1.8.0. Therefore, starting from IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3.3.6 interim fix 1, IBM Spectrum Scale is referenced as IBM Storage Scale. This release supports IBM Storage Scale pattern type 1.2.22.0 on IBM Storage Scale Version 5.1.8.0.

    IBM Java SDK/JRE version update support in 2.3.3.6 interim fix 1

    IBM Java SDK/JRE 8.0.8.6 version update is supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System.

    Pattern type version updates in 2.3.3.6 interim fix 1
    See the following pattern type version updates in 2.3.3.6 interim fix 1:
    • IBM Spectrum Scale (or IBM Storage Scale) pattern type 1.2.22.0 supports IBM Spectrum Scale Version 5.1.8.0.
    • WebSphere Application Server (WAS) pattern type 2.3.3.6 interim fix 1
    • Docker pattern type 1.0.15.5 with the following Docker container version:
      • 20.10.24 for RHEL8
    • IBM Db2® with BLU Acceleration® Pattern 1.2.19.0 supports IBM Db2 Advanced Edition V11.5.8.0 (special_29133_v11.5.8)
    • Java™ pattern type 1.0.15.0
    • IBM Tivoli® Monitoring (6.3.0.7 SP 13) pattern type 1.0.24.0
    • Load balancer (ODR) pattern type 1.0.11.0
    • IBM Foundation Pattern Type 2.1.22.0
      • Monitoring Agent for Windows OS 06.30.07.00
      • Monitoring Agent for Linux OS 06.30.07.00
    WebSphere Application Server version support in 2.3.3.6 interim fix 1
    WebSphere Application Server 9.0.5.16 and 8.5.5.23 version update is supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System. Also, the supported WebSphere Application Server Liberty fix pack is 23.0.0.6.
    Note: WebSphere Application ServerLiberty patterns now support Java 17.
    IBM Endpoint Manager pattern type and BigFix client/Agent version updates in 2.3.3.6 interim fix 1
    IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3.3.6 interim fix 1 provides version update support for the following components:
    • IBM Endpoint Manager pattern type 2.0.3.0
    • BigFix client/Agent (IBM Endpoint Manager) 10.0.9.21
  • New REST API to renew VMware vSphere SSL/STS certificates in 2.3.3.6

    A new REST API to renew VMware vSphere SSL/STS certificates is introduced in IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3.3.6. You can manage the VMware vSphere certificate by yourself. For more information about this API reference, see Manage VMware vSphere certificate.

    Pattern type version updates in 2.3.3.6
    See the following pattern type version updates in 2.3.3.6:
    • IBM Spectrum Scale pattern 1.2.20.0 supports IBM Spectrum Scale Version 5.1.5.1
    • WebSphere Application Server (WAS) pattern type 2.3.3.6
    • Red Hat Update Service (RHUS) 6.11 pattern type 1.0.19.0
    • Docker pattern type 1.0.15.4 with the following Docker container versions:
      • 20.10.3 for RHEL7
      • 20.10.21 for RHEL8
    • OS Pattern Kit (Linux, Windows versions) 3.0.5
    • IBM Db2 with BLU Acceleration Pattern 1.2.17.0 supports IBM Db2 Advanced Edition V11.5.7.0 (special_13804_v11.5.7)
    • Java pattern type 1.0.13.0
    • IBM Tivoli Monitoring (6.3.0.7 SP 13) pattern type 1.0.22.0
    • Load balancer (ODR) pattern type 1.0.9.0
    • IBM Foundation Pattern Type 2.1.20
      • Monitoring Agent for Windows OS 06.30.07.00
      • Monitoring Agent for Linux OS 06.30.07.00
    WebSphere Application Server 9.0.5.14 and 8.5.5.22 support

    WebSphere Application Server 9.0.5.14 and 8.5.5.22 version update is supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System. Also, the supported WebSphere Application Server Liberty fix pack is 22.0.0.12.

    Version updates for IBM OS Image for Red Hat Linux Systems

    IBM OS Image for Red Hat Linux Systems 8.6 (4.0.2.0) and 7.9 (3.1.6.0) are supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System for workload virtual machines.

    Version update support on Platform System Manager
    IBM Cloud Pak System provides version update support for the following components on Platform System Manager:
    • Red Hat Satellite Server6.11
    • IBM Db2 Standard Edition 11.5.8.0 with IBM Db2 OEM High Capacity Add-on 11.5.8.0
    • IBM Tivoli System Automation for Multiplatforms (TSA) 4.1.0.7
    IBM Java SDK/JRE version update support in 2.3.3.6

    IBM Java SDK/JRE 8.0.7.15 version update is supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System.

    VMware support in 2.3.3.6
    In this release, the following VMware support is included:
    • VMware vCenter Server Server is updated to 6.7 Update 3s (6.7.0.54000).
    • VMware ESXi Version 6.7 P08 release
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 support

    Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (RHEL 8.4) is supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System for workload virtual machines.

    WebSphere Application Server 9.0.5.10 and 8.5.5.20 support

    WebSphere Application Server 9.0.5.10 and 8.5.5.20 version update is supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System. Also, the supported IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty fix pack is 21.0.0.12.

    Red Hat Satellite Server 6.10 support

    Red Hat Satellite Server 6.10 version update is supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System.

    STS certificate expiry event notification

    IBM Cloud Pak System validates the expiry of the Security Token Service (STS) certificate and alerts system users in advance. Users can then get the certificate renewed without disrupting their day-to-day work. How it works is that when the STS certificate expiry duration is less than or equal to 90 days, a daily warning event is triggered and displayed on the Events page of the IBM Cloud Pak System user interface. It also escalates an event to Critical when the threshold (<30 days) is reached. For more information, see VMware vCenter Server STS certificate expiry monitoring in IBM Cloud Pak System.

    Supported pattern type versions
    The following pattern type versions are supported in IBM Cloud Pak System:
    • Red Hat Update Service (RHUS) 6.10 pattern type 1.0.17
    • IBM OS Image for Red Hat Linux Systems (RHEL 7.9) 3.1.4.0
    • IBM OS Image for Red Hat Linux Systems (RHEL 8.4) 4.0.0.0
    • OS Pattern Kit (Linux, Windows versions) 3.0.3
    • IBM Db2 with BLU Acceleration Pattern 1.2.15.0:
      • IBM Db2 Advanced Edition V11.5.7.0 Special fix 13804
    • IBM Db2 Enterprise Server Edition 11.5.7.0
    • IBM Spectrum Scale (5.0.5.12) pattern type 1.2.19.0
    • HCL BigFix (formerly known as IBM Endpoint Manager) 10.0.2.52 pattern type 2.0.1.0
    • IBM Tivoli Monitoring (6.3.0.7 SP 10) pattern type 1.0.20.0
    • IBM Foundation Pattern Type 2.1.19
      • Monitoring Agent for Windows, Linux, UNIX OS 6.30.07.00
    • Load balancer pattern type 1.0.8.0
    • Docker [20.10.3 (RHEL 7), 20.10.9 (RHEL 8)] pattern type 1.0.15.1
    • WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment Patterns 2.3.3.4
    VMware support
    In this release of IBM Cloud Pak System, support is included for the following VMware versions:
    • VMware vCenter Server DVSwitch 6.60
    • VMware vCenter Server Server Windows 6.7 Update 3o (6.7.0.50000)
    • VMware ESXi version 6.7.0 Update 3 build-19195723
    IBM Java SDK/JRE version update support

    IBM Java SDK/JRE 8.0.7.0 version update is supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System.

    Transport Layer Security (TLS) version update support

    Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 version update is supported in this release of IBM Cloud Pak System. TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 are no longer supported to work with IBM Cloud Pak System.

    OpenShift Container Platform 4.9.0.0 accelerator version support
    The following accelerator versions are supported in IBM Cloud Pak System:
    • OpenShift Container Platform 4.9.0.0 accelerator

      The OpenShift Container Platform version is 4.9.0.

    • OpenShift Container Platform with OCS/ODF accelerator 4.9.0.0

      The OpenShift Container Platform version is 4.9.0, and the OpenShift Container Storage (OCS) version is 4.8.

    OpenShift Container Platform pattern type 4.9.0.0 bundle contains images for OpenShift Container Platform 4.9.0, 4.8.12, 4.7.31, and 4.6.45.

    For more information about these new accelerator versions, see https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/cloud-pak-system?topic=whats-new.

    Deprecations
    • Docker Private Registry pattern
      Support for Docker Private Registry pattern is deprecated in Version 2.3.3.4 and later. The same feature can now be used from the Cloud Paks Docker Private Registry pattern by selecting Registry Node > import_ocp_docker_images > ocpversions > None in the Deploy page of the IBM Cloud Pak System user interface.
      Note: Since Docker Private Registry pattern is deprecated in Version 2.3.3.4 and later, the Docker configuration page under Pattern development is expected to be removed after the 2.3.3.4 release. This function is no longer supported. You must ignore the Docker Private Registry pattern function if you encounter it in 2.3.3.4 or later.
    • IBM Db2 11.1
      Support for IBM Db2 11.1 is deprecated from IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3.3.4 release onwards.
    • Host Management with Goferd and Katello Agent
      Use Remote execution as a replacement for Host management with Goferd and Katello Agent. For more information, see Host Management Without Goferd and Katello Agent.
      Note: The Katello agent package and the goferd service are not installed by default. You must manage virtual machines through a remote execution.
    For more information, see Deprecated functions and replacements.

    APARs and PSIRTs

    For the list of APARs and PSIRTs in this release, see https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-cloud-pak-system-version-2334.

  • Workload mobility in IBM Cloud Pak System

    Using the workload mobility feature, you can migrate running workloads across systems with minimal changes and minimal downtime. For more information, see Migrating instances.

    Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.9 version update support

    IBM Cloud Pak System provides version update support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.9.

    IBM Cloud Pak System accelerator version support
    The following list of accelerator versions is supported in IBM Cloud Pak System:
    • OpenShift Container Platform 4.6.0.1 accelerator

      The OpenShift Container Platform version is 4.6.1.

    • OpenShift Container Platform with OCS/ODF accelerator 4.6.0.1

      The OpenShift Container Platform version is 4.6.1, and the OpenShift Container Storage (OCS) version is 4.5.0.

    • IBM Cloud Pak®® for Applications accelerator 4.2.0.2
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Automation accelerator 20.0.2.2
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Integration accelerator 2020.3.1.1
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Integration with OCS accelerator 2020.3.1.1

      The OpenShift Container Storage version is 4.5.0.

    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Multicloud Management accelerator 1.3.1.3
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Security accelerator 1.3.0.2
    • IBM Edge Application Manager accelerator 4.1.0.2
    For more information about these accelerator versions, see https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSMGNT/welcome.html.
    Deprecated features and functions

    For a list of deprecated features and functions, see Deprecated functions and replacements.

  • IBM has removed entitlement for IBM BigFix from the following models of IBM Cloud Pak System:
    • IBM Cloud Pak System Software
    • IBM Cloud Pak System Software Suite
    • Firmware for IBM PureApplication System W2500
    • Firmware for IBM Cloud Pak System W3500, W3550, and W4600
    IBM BigFix has been deprecated and replaced by HCL BigFix. HCL BigFix will functionally replace IBM BigFix with clients directly acquiring entitlement from HCL. With entitlement of HCL BigFix, the products will require the upload of the HCL BigFix binary to maintain functionality provided by IBM BigFix. For more information, see BigFix procurement.
  • New IBM Cloud Pak System user interface
    You can experience a new user interface of the IBM Cloud Pak System product in this release. For more information, see Working with IBM Cloud Pak System user interface. Some of the key features are as follows:
    • Enhance Cloud Pak update, install, deploy, and operations experience.
    • Surface Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform statistics to IBM Cloud Pak System user interface and alert on failures.
    Version update support
    IBM Cloud Pak System provides version update support for the following components:
    • Red Hat Satellite Server Version 6.7
    • Platform System Manager
    • Base OS images
      • Java V1.8
    IBM Cloud Pak System accelerators version support
    The following list of accelerator versions is supported in IBM Cloud Pak System:
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Applications accelerator 4.2.0.0
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Automation accelerator 20.0.1.0
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Integration accelerator 2020.2.1.0
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Integration with OCS accelerator 2020.2.1.0
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Multicloud Management accelerator 1.3.1.1
    • IBM Cloud Pak® for Security accelerator 1.3.0.0
    • Cloud Paks® Docker Private Registry 1.0.13.0
    • IBM Edge Application Manager accelerator 4.1.0.0
    • OpenShift Container Platform 4.4.0.0 base accelerator (supports upgrade)
    • OpenShift Container Platform with OCS/ODF accelerator 4.4.0.0
    For more information about these accelerator versions, see https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSMGNT/welcome.html.
    Accelerator features in IBM Cloud Pak System
    The following IBM Cloud Pak System accelerator features are delivered in this release:
    • Add or remove worker nodes from an already deployed cluster (manual scale).
    • Remove bootstrap node to free up resources after bootstrap process is complete.
    • Soft anti-collocation for masters separate from workers.
      Note: This feature is applicable only for OpenShift Container Platform accelerator.
    For more information, see https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSMGNT/welcome.html.
    IBM Db2 V11.5 license edition change with IBM Db2 pattern type

    Starting with Version 2.3.3, the IBM Db2 V11.5 license edition that is bundled with IBM Db2 pattern type is changed from Advanced Workgroup Server Edition to Advanced Edition. For more information, see Db2 V11.5 license edition with Db2 pattern type is changed from Advanced Workgroup Server Edition to Advanced Edition.