Content

To deliver new capabilities and to meet market demand IBM API Connect follows the IBM Continuous Delivery (CD) support model unless otherwise denoted in this article. It is highly recommended to read the following articles to learn about the details of the Continuous Delivery lifecycle policy.

CD FAQ (including Support Lifecycle Policy): https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/718161

The IBM CD support lifecycle policy provides a continuous delivery release stream where new functionality, security updates and defect fixes are provided. These are called Continuous Delivery Update Packages.  Optionally, the policy allows for some CD update packages to be designated as Long Term Support Release (LTSR) update packages. Not all products provide these. API Connect does designate Long Term Support Releases as documented at the time of publication.

Please note for CD Releases, defect fixes are delivered in the next CD update package and next LTSR fix pack.

The IBM Software Product Compatibility Reports should be referenced to identify the latest list of CD Update Packages and supported Long Term Support Releases, as well as system requirements.

Support Eligibility

Eligibility to receive product and code fixes is limited to versions that are in their Base Support lifecycle phase. Eligibility to receive general product support (how-to problems, and identification of existing code defects or security issues, etc) varies by version, and is described below.

Usage and Known Defects support limitation

The Usage and Known Defects support limitation enables continued access to IBM Support for "how to" questions, usage issues and known defects published in IBM Fix Central, and potentially requires purchase of Extended Support. IBM will not develop or provide new patches or fixes for those versions or releases after the announced End of Support date or Completion of Fix Availability date of a specified version or release.

Versions in market

IBM API Connect has one major version in market: V10. Previous versions, V5 and V2018, are now out of support and have limited support eligibility (see table below).

IBM API Connect V10.0.x

API Connect V10 is the latest product release stream.  New functionality, security updates and defect fixes are delivered in CD and LTSR update packages.  V10 uses the V.R.M.F format for product numbering described here. For lifecycle dates, see: Software lifecycle page for IBM API Connect 10.0.x.

V10.0.5 is designated as a Long Term Support (LTS) release. At announcement a 2 year duration of support from general availability was listed. The expected completion of Fix Availability date for this LTS is June 30, 2025, or later.  API Connect v10.0.5 is the current LTS stream and is the strategic destination for clients.

V10.0.1 is designated as a Long Term Support (LTS) release. In market since 2020, V10.0.1 was announced completion of Fix Availability effective September 30, 2023. After this date, clients can open support tickets and received help with usage and known defects. After this date, no new product fixes, security fixes or currency updates will be provided. Clients are required to upgrade to 10.0.5 LTS release.

Both V10.0.5 & V10.0.1 LTS provide on-going maintenance at periodic intervals, using fix packs following V.R.M.F numbering.  Where "F" is the fix pack.  Security updates, defect fixes, features/enhancements & currency of 3rd party packages are provided in fix packs. Fix packs are published on Fix Central.  

Continuous Delivery (CD) and Long Term Support (LTS) update packages do not offer extended support once they reach completion of Fix Availability. Once a CD or LTS update reaches its completion of Fix Availability date, clients are required to upgrade to a newer V10.0 update package, LTS or CD, in order to receive product fixes or security fixes. Long Term Support update packages are not meant to receive Fix Support for the full duration of the V.R release, rather to provide a subset of the release lifecycle allowing clients to move less frequently than every CD package.

For the full list of CD and LTS packages: See the Software Product Compatibility Reports.

Versions removed from market

Versions 5 and 2018 are no longer receiving code or security fixes. V10 is recommended for all new deployments and upgrades.

IBM API Connect V2018.x

Extended support for API Connect V2018 has ended and it was announced after April 30, 2023. V2018 followed a date-based format (Year.Quarter.Release.Fixpack) for product numbering. Support Extensions are available for purchase through December 31, 2023. Contact your account rep to request a support extension quote.

V2018.4.1 was the last update package and was designated a Long Term Support (LTS) Release. Existing fix packs are published  on Fix Central.

IBM API Connect V5.0.x

Extended support for API Connect V5 has ended and it was announced after April 30, 2022. Support Extensions are available for purchase through December 31, 2023. Contact your account rep to request a support extension quote.

V5.0.8 was the last update package and was designated a Long Term Support Release (LTSR). Existing fix packs are published on Fix Central.

Getting Support

To get started with IBM Support, log into the IBM Support Community.