Continuing Support for Db2 ends on 30 April 2024

IBM announced expanded Support options for select software programs, including Db2 for Linux, Unix and Windows, on 18 April 2023.   

With the new Support options, IBM is announcing the withdrawal of the Continuing Support program for Db2 effective 30 April 2024. Continuing Support provides limited non-defect support for known issues beyond the End of Support (EOS) date. It will be replaced by IBM Extended Support for a fee after a version reaches EOS date. Extended Support is provided for up to 4 years, including defect fixes within the first year following the EOS date.   

IBM Extended Support can add four years of support for versions or releases past the EOS date to enable a customer to complete a migration or upgrade.  For the first year after the announced EOS date of a specified version or release, IBM Extended Support enables continued access to IBM Support for "how to" questions, usage issues, known defects published in IBM Fix Central, and new critical defects. Thereafter, IBM Extended Support enables continued access to IBM Support for "how to" questions, usage issues and known defects published in IBM Fix Central. IBM Extended Support is available for select IBM programs where a customer has active IBM Software Subscription and Support (S&S) in place.  

Customers are advised to upgrade to an active version of Db2 to retain comprehensive full-defect support coverage.   

IBM® understands clients might need more time to plan a technology migration or might need a higher level of support.  Various IBM services are available to help modernize your Db2 environments. These include packages and expert services to assess, plan, or execute a version upgrade or to fully modernize to a container-based infrastructure. Contact your IBM sales representative or Business Partner to learn more about Extended Support or how best to take advantage of these programs.  

Frequently Asked Questions:  

• How long before Continuing Support is no longer available?  
  Customers have 12 months from this announcement to plan Db2 version upgrades. Continuing Support will end on 30 April 2024.  
• Does it cost to upgrade?  
  No. If you have active S&S, there is no cost to upgrade and to use supported versions of Db2.      
• Why should I upgrade?  
  Newer versions of Db2 provide higher performance, easier administration, better security, and a wider variety of deployment options like containers. Current versions of Db2 receive comprehensive defect support, including security fixes. Often, vendors are no longer supporting the hardware, operating systems, or applications used with Db2 versions that are past EOS date, and this presents risks outside of the core database software.  
• How can I upgrade?   
  All versions transitioning out of Continuing Support can follow the same upgrade path to reach Db2 11.5:  
  • Upgrade your existing instance to version 10.5.  
  • Upgrade the version 10.5 instance to version 11.5.  
• How can IBM help me upgrade? How can IBM help my environment stay up to date in the future?  
  IBM Expert Labs provides services ranging from consultations on how to plan an upgrade to support on actual execution. Longer term services engagements are also available. For example, IBM Expertise Connect for Data & AI  provides guidance and mentoring on both operational and strategic aspects of your data infrastructure. Your IBM Sales Representative or business partner can help determine what mix of options best serves your needs.  

RELATED LINKS  

Db2 Continuing Support  

Upgrading to Db2 v9.7  

Passport Advantage Online to Renew S&S  

IBM Enterprise Support and Preferred Care options for On-Premises Software  

Db2 Distributed End of Support Dates