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IBM adheres to a software product version lifecycle management policy. The objective of this policy is to
enable customers to predictably manage their IT infrastructure by deploying high quality IBM software.
Use the links below to view specific End of Version Support information for IBM software products.

Definitions

Client Software Client software is any software that resides on a customer-provided computing host (server, desktop, laptop or mobile device). Client software does not include OnCommand System Manager, OnCommand Unified Manager (Core and Host Packages), Data ONTAP operating systems, embedded software or firmware such as disk shelf firmware on hardware products, or host utilities
Feature Version A major or minor version of software that introduces new or improved features. A feature version and any of its maintenance releases are grouped together with respect to software version support policies
Version “N” The latest available feature version of a software product
Version “N-1” The feature version of a software product that was available before Version “N” was available
Version “N-2” The feature version of a software product that was available before Version “N-1” was
available
Full Support The time period where IBM provides full support for a version of a software product, including: Technical support, root cause analysis, documentation, software available online, maintenance and patch releases.
Limited Support The time period where IBM provides partial support for a version of a software product, including: Technical support, root cause analysis, documentation and software available online. Maintenance and patch releases are not provided for versions under limited support.
Self-Service Support The time period where IBM does not provide support for a version of a software product, but related documentation is still available on the IBM Support Site
Obsolete Support and information about a version of a software product is no longer available
End of Version Support The date marking the end of limited support for a particular version of a product and transition to self-service support

Capability Matrix By Support Type

• IBM will provide “Full Support” for the latest two major/minor feature versions of a product (version “N” and version “N-1”)
• When product version “N” is available, product version “N-2” transitions to “Limited Support” for a period of 12 months. Customers will be notified on the availability of product version "N" via product Publication Matrix.
• After the 12 month “Limited Support” period, product version “N-2” will no longer be supported by IBM.

– The date marking the end of support for a particular version of a product is the “End of Version Support” date. Customers are encouraged to upgrade to a supported version of the product to ensure support coverage.
• After the “End of Version Support” date has passed, documentation will remain available for an additional 36 months to enable customer “Self-Service Support”.
• After the “Self-Service Support” period has elapsed, the product version is “Obsolete”.
• For IBM products, it is customary that the planned Service Life Cycle include support for a 5 year period after the product's announced withdrawal from marketing. Such support periods may be longer or shorter, based on various factors including, but not limited to, the availability of necessary parts, skills and materials. In all instances, IBM will attempt to provide reasonable notification of its intent to withdraw service support for a product. For customers desiring to prolong service support beyond IBM's announced End of Service date, there is also an option to negotiate extended support through your local IBM service support organization.
• We also expect MES upgrades for these products to be available for a period of time following the product's withdrawal from marketing date, with such time period determined by, among other things, market demand and the availability of parts and supplies. When IBM does set a date for withdrawal from marketing, withdrawal of service, or withdrawal of upgrades for these products, we will endeavor to provide you reasonable notice prior to the last day of order acceptance or the withdrawal taking effect.