IBM Support

Spectrum Virtualize Family of Products Upgrade Planning

Question & Answer


Question

How can I determine which software release to use when planning to upgrade my Spectrum Virtualize family (SVC, Storwize V3x00, V5x00, V7000 and FlashSystem 5x00, 7200, 9100 & 9200 systems)?

Answer

From Version 8.4, IBM has transitioned to a new Continuous Development release model to make it easier for customers to determine which is most suitable for them.  
Releases are now divided into two branches:
Long Term Support (LTS)
  • Contains new functionality in addition to all functionality introduced in previous LTS and Non-LTS releases.
  • Plan for quarterly fix packs (PTFs) but no new functionality will be added, to deliver maximum stability.
  • Plan for one LTS release every 1-2 years.
  • Identified by a zero as the third digit of the release number (e.g. 8.4.0.0)
  • IBM expects the majority of customers to run the LTS branch.
  • Select this branch if stability is the priority.

Non-Long Term Support (Non-LTS)
  • Contains new functionality in addition to all functionality introduced in previous LTS and Non-LTS releases.
  • Will not receive any fix packs.  Fixes for issues introduced in a Non-LTS release will be delivered in a subsequent Non-LTS or LTS release,
  • Plan for multiple Non-LTS releases per year.
  • Identified by a non-zero as the third digit of the release number (e.g. 8.4.1.0)
  • To upgrade to a Non-LTS, a system must already be running a previous release (LTS or Non-LTS) on the same version.  For example, to upgrade to 8.4.2 the system must be running 8.4.0.x or 8.4.1.  To upgrade from 8.4.2 to 8.5.2 the system must first be upgraded to 8.5.0.x,
  • Select this branch if new functionality is the priority.

Further information about this new release model can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page: 

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6409554


 



In the following tables, the levels shown under the Minimum PTF heading are considered stable release levels. Clients running at or above these levels may remain in place unless an update is required for specific fixes or new function.

The levels shown under the Recommended PTF heading are considered stable release levels that have accumulated a reasonable amount of runtime in Client environments, and/or contain critical fixes.  Clients planning to upgrade code should choose a level from this column, unless a higher level is required for specific fixes or new function.

The date in square brackets is the month of release of the PTF.


Version 8.4 and Higher Release Model:


Long Term Support (LTS):

 

SVC DH8/SV1/SA2/SV2, FlashSystem 5000/5100/5200/7200/9100/9200, Storwize V5000E/V5100/V7000 Gen2(+)/Gen3:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
8.4.0
(Recommended only if new features required)		 8.4.0.0
[Nov 2020]		 8.4.0.2
[Feb 2021]		 8.4.0.3
[Jul 2021]




Non-Long Term Support (Non-LTS):

 

SVC DH8/SV1/SA2/SV2, FlashSystem 5000/5100/5200/7200/9100/9200, Storwize V5000E/V5100/V7000 Gen3:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
8.4.1
(Recommended only if new features required)		 8.4.1.0
[Jun 2021]		 8.4.1.0
[Jun 2021]		 8.4.1.0
[Jun 2021]


Version 8.3 and Earlier Release Model:
 

SVC SA2/SV2, FlashSystem 5000, 5100, 7200 & 9200:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
8.3
(Recommended)
 8.3.1.0
[Feb 2020]		 8.3.1.5
[Apr 2021]		 8.3.1.5
[Apr 2021]

 
 

SVC DH8/SV1, Storwize V5000E & V7000 Gen2:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
8.3
(Recommended)
 8.3.0.0
[Jun 2019]		 8.3.1.5
[Apr 2021]		 8.3.1.5
[Apr 2021]
8.2 8.2.1.9
[Jan 2020]		 8.2.1.13
[May 2021]		 8.2.1.13
[May 2021]
8.1 End Of Support
7.8 7.8.1.6
[May 2018]		 7.8.1.13
[Apr 2021]		 7.8.1.13
[Apr 2021]
<7.8 End Of Support

 
 

FlashSystem 9100, Storwize V5100 & V7000 Gen3:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
8.3
(Recommended)
 8.3.0.0
[Jun 2019]		 8.3.1.5
[Apr 2021]		 8.3.1.5
[Apr 2021]
8.2 8.2.1.9
[Jan 2020]		 8.2.1.13
[May 2021]		 8.2.1.13
[May 2021]

 
 

Storwize V5000 Gen2

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
8.3 *
(Recommended)		 8.3.0.0
[Jun 2019]		 8.3.1.5
[Apr 2021]		 8.3.1.5
[Apr 2021]
8.2 8.2.1.9
[Jan 2020]		 8.2.1.13
[May 2021]		 8.2.1.13
[May 2021]
8.1 End Of Support
7.8 7.8.1.6
[May 2018]		 7.8.1.13
[Apr 2021]		 7.8.1.13
[Apr 2021]
<7.8 End Of Support

* Only Storwize V5030 can be upgraded to v8.3
 

Storwize V3x00, V5000 Gen1, V7000 Gen1 & SVC CF8/CG8:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
7.8 7.8.1.6
[May 2018]		 7.8.1.13
[Apr 2021]		 7.8.1.13
[Apr 2021]
<7.8 End Of Support

 
 

V7000 Gen1 Using Compression:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
7.7 7.7.1.9
[May 2018]		 7.7.1.9
[May 2018]		 7.7.1.9
[May 2018]
<7.7 End Of Support

 
 

V3x00 4GB:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
7.5 7.5.0.14
[May 2018]		 7.5.0.14
[May 2018]		 7.5.0.14
[May 2018]

 
 

NOTE:

It is not necessary to upgrade every time a new PTF level is released. For reference, most users will typically upgrade their systems once or twice per year.

Please visit the IBM Support Software Lifecycle site to determine when a specific code level will become End of Support (EOS).

Please visit the  Concurrent Compatibility and Code Cross Reference for Spectrum Virtualize page to determine the appropiate upgrade path for your system.

 
 

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Document Information

Modified date:
20 July 2021

UID

ssg1S1005283

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