Cisco is introducing an updated software release delivery model and specific EOL guidelines starting with Cisco HyperFlex Release 3.5(2x).

The Cisco HyperFlex software release model has 2 types of software releases – Long-lived release (maintenance releases) and Feature release. Each release type has its own content scope and release frequency. Both the types are time-based and will also have patches being released at a specified cadence.

There will be patches periodically released off of both the long-lived and feature release train. The long-lived release will be a maintenance release based off the same feature release number as the feature release. Cisco may alter the frequency of the release interval accordingly to address customer feedback and market conditions, but every attempt is made to maintain a time-based release.

The examples in these guidelines use the X.Y(Za) format for release numbers, for example 3.5(2a).

A Cisco HyperFlex software long-lived release or maintenance release is a stable release with a longer release lifecycle (30 months). As a long-lived release is targeted for stability, no new major features are included during its lifecycle. It will be a rollup of the features and functionality from the previous feature release. It will include additional hardening and bug fixes. The long-lived release will be easier to upgrade between releases far apart. A long-lived release will support certain older versions of dependent software (older ESX and UCSM versions) that are not supported with the latest release, moving forward. Customers needing a release that is supported for a longer period of time are encouraged to use the long-lived release.

A Cisco HyperFlex software long-lived release or maintenance release (X.Y(Za)) is signified by the third digit (Z) in the release version number. If this digit is greater than 1 then that Cisco HyperFlex software version is considered a long-lived release (for example, the 2 in Cisco HyperFlex software release 3.5(2d)).

Patch releases for a long-lived release are delivered approximately every 3 months. Patch releases are the primary mechanism to deliver critical bug fixes to Cisco HyperFlex Software releases. Representatives from Cisco TAC and Cisco Engineering evaluate the priority of bug fixes and determine the ones that should be included in each patch of the long-lived release. Cisco may alter the frequency of the patch release interval upon customers' feedback and market conditions in the future, but every attempt is made to maintain a time-based patch release.

Patch releases are cumulative for the long-lived release they support. At the time it is published, the latest patch release includes all critical fixes published since the HyperFlex software long-lived release was introduced. Cisco encourages all Cisco HyperFlex software customers to actively migrate to the recommended patch release at their earliest convenience. If a bug is encountered that has been fixed in a patch release, Cisco support will recommend an upgrade to the latest available patch release. Cisco HyperFlex does not support any downgrades between HX releases.

Cisco HyperFlex software feature release will have the latest features, functionalities and updates. This will have a shorter release lifecycle (9 months) compared to the long-lived release. Customers looking to use the latest features and functionality should move up to the feature that has the content they need.

Cisco HyperFlex software feature releases (X.Y(Za)) are signified by a change to either the first digit (X) or the second digit (Y) in the release version number (for example, the 4 in Cisco HyperFlex software release version 4.0(1a) or the 5 in Cisco HyperFlex software release version 4.5(1a)). In general, a change to X would indicate a larger change, such as a change in architecture or the addition of a platform.

Feature releases are delivered for one or more of the following reasons:

Introduce significant changes throughout the software, including infrastructure, architectural or file system format changes. For example, Release 4.0(1a) introduced support for two-node HyperFlex Edge clusters and Cisco Intersight Invisible Cloud Witness. This will be likely to cause a change to X.

New features and functionality. This will be likely to cause a change to Y.

Bug fixes and enhancements to existing functions introduced in a previous feature release. This will be likely to cause a change to Y.

A feature release may also have a patch release. Cisco may change what constitutes a feature release and also alter the frequency of this release interval upon customers' feedback and market conditions in the future, but every attempt is made to maintain a time-based release. Cisco HyperFlex does not support any downgrades between HX releases.

Please note that certain features may require the purchase of a higher tier license.

The Cisco HyperFlex Release 3.5(2x) is the first long-lived software release that will adhere to the guidelines.

Note	The HyperFlex software will be available on the Software Download page until the "End of Security and Vulnerability Support (EoVS) (PSIRT fixes)" date.

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.

The Cisco HyperFlex software version 4.0(1x) is the first feature release that will adhere to the guidelines.

Note	The HyperFlex software will be available on the Software Download page until the "End of Security and Vulnerability Support (EoVS) (PSIRT fixes)" date.

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.

The current recommended long-lived release for Cisco HyperFlex can be identified by the following mechanisms:

• Cisco HyperFlex Long-Lived Release Milestones section of the Software Lifecycle Support Statement: Cisco HyperFlex document.

• Star on the software download page in CCO.

For a feature release, the recommendation is to use the latest available patch release for the feature release.

For information on the supported HX upgrade paths, refer to the HX Upgrade Guide.

Customers are encouraged to migrate to the Cisco HyperFlex recommended patch release for the long-lived and feature releases. For information on the current feature and long-lived releases, refer to the HyperFlex recommended release bulletin page. HyperFlex Customers with an active Cisco Support contract are eligible to download the latest releases from HyperFlex Cisco Software Download page.

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For information on the currently recommended long-lived and feature releases

For all Cisco HyperFlex support timelines of previous versions

For more information about the Cisco HyperFlex product line, or contact your local Cisco account manager.

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