Lifecycle policy comments for IBM Sterling Control Center, IBM Control Center Director, IBM Control Center Monitor, and IBM Sterling Secure Proxy

The IBM Software Support guidelines are defined for the Version and Release levels of products.  

Product release numbers are comprised of Version (1st digit), Release (2nd digit), Modification (3rd digit), and Fix Pack (4th digit). 

Example Secure Proxy 6.0.1.0 is Version 6, Release 0, Modification 1, and Fix Pack 0.

 
New fixes are only provided on the most current Version/Release stream.  

Example: For the Secure Proxy 6.0.x.x stream, as of July 20th 2020 the most current Version/Release is Secure Proxy 6.0.1.1.  SP 6.0.1.1 will be superseded when either SP 6.0.1.2 is released or when SP 6.0.2.0 is released.   

 
Exception to the rule above:  When a new Modification release is made available, fixes will be provided on the previous current Version/Release stream for up to 6 months upon request.  After that time, any new fixes will only be available on the current Version/Release stream.

Example: Control Center 6.1.3 became available on 3/20/2020.  Upon request, maintenance will be provided on the Control Center 6.1.2.1 stream until 9/20/2020.

 
Fix Pack releases immediately supersede any applicable Fix Pack, Modification release or Version release.

Example: For the Secure Proxy 6.0.x.x stream, Secure Proxy 6.0.1.1 will immediately supersede the 6.0.1.0 maintenance stream.  Any new fix will only be available as an APAR on Secure Proxy 6.0.1.1.

All Mod releases, Fix Pack releases and iFixes are cumulative.