End-of-Life Software Release and Support Guideline – Cisco Catalyst Center

 

What You Will Learn

This software release and support guideline describes the release and support guidelines for Cisco Catalyst Center (previously known as Cisco DNA Center). This document applies to Cisco Catalyst Center On-Premise Software updated via cloud catalogue or Airgap ISO for both physical appliance and virtual form factors. For Cisco DNA Center 1.x releases, please refer to the EOL announcement in cisco.com. The 1.x release train has been LDOS since 2022 and the 2.3.5.x release train has been LDOS since 2025.

Cisco Catalyst Center software follows a time-based release model that delivers maintenance and feature releases. This approach enables Cisco to introduce stable and feature rich software releases in a reliable and predictable cadence.

The information contained in this document is informational only and is subject to change. Cisco recommends that you periodically check here to ensure you are reviewing the most current version of this document.

Cisco Catalyst Center Software Release Delivery

Cisco is introducing an updated software release delivery model starting with the Cisco Catalyst Center 3.x.y software release. EOL guidelines will remain unchanged from the 2.x.y.z software releases.

Release Taxonomy

The Cisco Catalyst Center Software model has 2 types of software releases (CA and GA).

●     CA is Controlled Availability

●     GA is General Availability

Note: Recommended Release (RR) is not a distinct release category but rather a status indicating the maturity and adoption level of a GA release. Mainline releases are awarded this designation once they successfully meet the established key performance indicators.

Each release type, including major, minor, and patch versions, operates on its own time-based schedule with unique content and scope requirements. Regardless of the release type, every release progresses through the same lifecycle phases, moving from Controlled Availability to General Availability and ultimately to Recommended Release.

3.x.y Software Releases

The examples in this release train use the A.B.C format for release version numbers, for example 3.2.1.

Figure 1. Catalyst Center 3.x Releases numbering scheme

Likely to cause a change to A:

●     Introduce significant market value, including infrastructure or architectural changes. For example, Release 3.b.c.

Likely to cause a change to B:

●     New functions and features in the platform: For example, Release 3.1.c introduces the Enterprise Readiness capabilities like High Availability, Disaster Recovery, Audit log etc.

Likely to cause a change to C:

●     No new functions/features, only enhancements to existing functions/features, and bug fixes in the applications: For example, Release 3.2.1 introduces new application features in Automation, Assurance, SDA (software defined access), while 3.2.2 will only provide bug fixes and enhancements to existing functionality.

Cisco Catalyst Center will have two software releases per year at approximately six-month intervals. Cisco may release up to 6 patch releases per major release. Cisco may 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.

Release Support Timeline

Cisco Catalyst Center Release milestones

The Cisco Catalyst Center software version 2.3.7.x onwards will adhere to the 24 months guidelines presented here.

Table 1.       Cisco Catalyst Center 2.3.7.x Release End-of-Sale and End-of-Life milestones

Figure 2. Release 2.x 24 months release lifespan

The Cisco Catalyst Center software version 3.2.x and onwards will adhere to the 27 months guidelines presented here. Also note that extension in EoSM dates may not necessarily result in extending the LDOS date.

Table 2.       Cisco Catalyst Center 3.x Software End-of-Sale and End-of-Life milestones

Figure 3. Release 3.x 27 months release lifespan

Please refer to the Catalyst Center Compatibility Matrix (https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/Website/enterprise/catalyst_center_compatibility_matrix/index.html)

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

Upgrade Paths

For information on the supported upgrade paths, refer to the Cisco Catalyst Center Install and Upgrade Guide.

Customers are encouraged to migrate to Cisco Catalyst Center GA release. For information on the current releases, refer to the Cisco Catalyst Center recommended release bulletin page. Cisco Catalyst Center Customer’s with an active Cisco Support contract are eligible to download and upgrade to the latest releases using the Software Updates feature within Cisco Catalyst Center.

End-of-Life Guideline Definition

The Cisco Catalyst Center software version 3.x.y and 2.x.y.z onwards will adhere to the guidelines presented here.

●     This document will be updated with the timelines when the GA of the release A.B.x happens.

●     Customers with active service contracts will continue to receive support from the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for Cisco Catalyst Center appliance as per the terms of the contract. After the Last Day of Support (LDOS) of Cisco Catalyst Center appliance, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete.

Table 3.       GA Dates and Corresponding End-of-Life milestones

* Customers are encouraged to migrate to the 3.2.x or newer.

** This release LDOS date has been extended to enable customers to migrate to the 3.x release.

Cisco Services

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 all Cisco Catalyst Center support timelines of previous versions: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/cloud-systems-management/dna-center/eos-eol-notice-listing.html.

For more information about the Cisco Catalyst Center product line visit the following page: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/networking/catalyst-center/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/en/us/services/technical/software-support.html.