The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.
This software lifecycle support statement describes the release and support timeline and support guidelines for Cisco NSO Software. Prior to Cisco NSO v5.X, please refer to the section at the end of this document.
Cisco NSO Software is a time-based release model that delivers two to three releases each year. This approach enables Cisco to introduce stable and feature rich Software releases in a reliable and predictable cadence.
Cisco NSO Software Release Delivery
Cisco is introducing an updated software release delivery model and specific EoL guidelines with the NSO v5.X Software release. These updated EOL guidelines will apply specifically to the primary NSO Server licenses, which will no longer be released for each new minor version. Additional EOL announcements may be released for other NSO components, such as Network Element Drivers (NEDs), Core Function Packs (CFPs) and/or device right-to-manage licenses.
The Cisco NSO Software Release Train model provides a distinct release vehicle combining to regularly deliver new features two to three times each year with regular maintenance releases for fixes. The schedule specifies two to three individual software releases within a 12-month cycle. This cadence is repeated every year.
End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Guideline Definition
The Cisco NSO v5.X Release is the first Release that will adhere to the guidelines presented here.
● The minor NSO versions v5.1, v5.2, v5.3… will continue to be released two to three times per year.
● The EOL timeline, per the guidelines in Table 1, for minor NSO releases will begin at the FCS of each subsequent minor release. For example, upon FCS of NSO v5.2, the EOL timeline will begin for NSO v5.1. Upon FCS of NSO v5.3, the EOL timeline will begin for NSO v5.2.
● There will no longer separate EOL announcements for these minor versions.
● Cisco NSO Software releases (NSO 5.X, 6.X…) will be active and available for download (minor versions also) until the EOL announcement is published as per the guidelines in Table 1.
● EOL announcement will only be published for major Cisco NSO Software releases (NSO 5.X, 6.X…)
● Customers are encouraged to migrate to Cisco NSO’s most recent release when the release becomes available. NSO Customer’s with an active Cisco NSO Support contract are eligible to download the latest releases from Cisco Software Download
Cisco NSO Software Support Until NSO 5.6
Cisco NSO Software Releases (NSO 5.X, until NSO 5.6) will be supported for 42 months after the EOL announcement goes out for it. Customers with active service contracts will continue to receive support from the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) as shown in Table 1 above. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete.
Table 1 summarizes the End-of-Sale and EoL milestones for Cisco NSO Software release (NSO 5.X, until NSO 5.6)
Table 1. Cisco NSO Software End-of-Sale and End-of-Life milestones by Release (NSO 5.X, 6.X…)
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date the document that announces the end of sale and end of life of a product is distributed to the general public. |
Will begin at FCS of each subsequent minor release. |
| End-of-Sale (EoS) Date |
The last date to order the product through Cisco point-of-sale mechanisms. The product is no longer for sale after this date. |
Six (6) months from End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement date |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. Note: After this date, Cisco Engineering will only provide fixes for Security Vulnerabilities as per the EoVS milestone timeframe. |
Twelve (12) months after EoS date. |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
Thirty six (36) months after EoS date. |
Table 2. Release Support Timeline for Release 5.1
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
July 7, 2019 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. Note: After this date, Cisco Engineering will only provide fixes for Security Vulnerabilities as per the EoVS milestone timeframe. |
January 7, 2021 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
January 31, 2023 |
Table 3. Release Support Timeline for Release 5.2
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
December 25, 2019 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. Note: After this date, Cisco Engineering will only provide fixes for Security Vulnerabilities as per the EoVS milestone timeframe. |
June 25, 2021 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
June 30, 2023 |
Table 4. Release Support Timeline for Release 5.3
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
July 7, 2020 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. Note: After this date, Cisco Engineering will only provide fixes for Security Vulnerabilities as per the EoVS milestone timeframe. |
January 7, 2022 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
January 31, 2024 |
Table 5. Release Support Timeline for Release 5.4
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
November 30, 2020 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. Note: After this date, Cisco Engineering will only provide fixes for Security Vulnerabilities as per the EoVS milestone timeframe. |
May 30. 2022 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
May 31, 2024 |
Table 6. Release Support Timeline for Release 5.5
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
September 30, 2021 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. Note: After this date, Cisco Engineering will only provide fixes for Security Vulnerabilities as per the EoVS milestone timeframe. |
Mar 30. 2023 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
Mar 31, 2025 |
Table 7. Release Support Timeline for Release 5.6
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
December 17, 2021 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. Note: After this date, Cisco Engineering will only provide fixes for Security Vulnerabilities as per the EoVS milestone timeframe. |
June 17. 2023 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
Jun 30, 2025 |
Cisco NSO Software Support NSO 5.7 and later
Beginning with NSO 5.7 NSO software will have two different support lifecycles:
● Long Lived releases will be supported 42 month after End of Life Announcement date (EoL) and will reach End of Software Maintenance milestone 30 months after End of Life Announcement date (EoL).
● Short Lived releases will be supported 12 month after End of Life Announcement and will reach EoSM at the same date.
● Every third release will be a long lived release and the two releases after a long lived release will be short lived.
● The life cycle version of the release will be shown in the table that summarize End of Life Announcement date (EoL), EoSM and LDOS milestones below.
● Example of Long Lived and Short Lived release cadence: NSO 5.7 Long lived, 5.8 Short Lived, 6.0 Short Lived, 6.1 Long Lived
Table 8 and Table 9 summarizes the End-of-Sale(EoS) and End of Life Announcement date (EoL) milestones for Cisco NSO Software release (NSO 5.7, 6.x ,…)
Table 8. Cisco NSO Software End-of-Sale and End-of-Life milestones by Long Lived Release
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date the document that announces end of life of a product to the general public. |
Will begin at FCS of each subsequent minor release. |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. |
Thirty (30) months after EoL announcement date. |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
Forty two (42) months after EoL announcement date. |
Table 9. Cisco NSO Software End-of-Sale and End-of-Life milestones by Short Lived Release
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date the document that announces end of life of a product to the general public. |
Will begin at FCS of each subsequent minor release. |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. |
Twelve (12) months after EoL announcement date. |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
Eighteen (18) months after EoL announcement date. |
Table 10. Release Support Timeline for Release 5.7 Long Lived release
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
Aug 31, 2022 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. |
April 23, 2025 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
April 30, 2026 |
Table 11. Release Support Timeline for Release 5.8 Short Lived release
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
Nov 10, 2022 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. |
Nov 10, 2023 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
May 30, 2024 |
Table 12. Release Support Timeline for Release 6.0 Short Lived release
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
May 2, 2023 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. |
May 2, 2024 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
Oct 31, 2024 |
Table 13. Release Support Timeline for Release 6.1 Long Lived release
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End-of-Life (EoL) Announcement Date |
The date of this announcement |
Nov 27, 2023 |
| End of SW Maintenance (EoSM) Release Date |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any final software maintenance releases or bug fixes. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software. |
May 27, 2026 |
| Last Date of Support |
The last date to receive service and support for the product. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
May 30, 2027 |
Upgrade Paths
Customers are encouraged to migrate to Cisco NSO’s most recent release when the release becomes available.
NSO Customer’s with an active Cisco NSO Support contract are eligible to download the latest releases from Cisco Software Download, located at https://software.cisco.com/download/home.
Cisco offers a wide range of services programs to accelerate customer success. These innovative services programs are delivered through a unique combination of resources, processes, tools, and partners, resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction. Cisco Services help you protect your network investment, optimize network operations, and prepare your network for new applications to extend network intelligence and the power of your business. For more information about Cisco Services, refer to: https://www.cisco.com/go/services.
Support Timelines of Previously Announced Releases
For support timelines of the NSO v4.6 SW Release: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/cloud-systems-management/network-services-orchestrator/eos-eol-notice-c51-740981.html
For support timelines of the NSO v4.5 SW Release: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/cloud-systems-management/network-services-orchestrator/eos-eol-notice-c51-740344.html
For all NSO support timelines of previous versions: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/cloud-systems-management/network-services-orchestrator/eos-eol-notice-listing.html
For more information about the Cisco NSO product line visit the following page: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/cloud-systems-management/network-services-orchestrator/index.html or contact your local Cisco account manager.
For information about Cisco service and support programs and benefits, visit: https://www.cisco.com/c/m/en_us/customer-experience/support/software-support-service-swss.html