Software Lifecycle Support Statement – FND
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This software lifecyle support statement describes the release and support guidelines for Cisco Field Network Director (FND). This document applies to FND Software starting version 4.9 and onwards.
Cisco FND 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 FND Software Release Delivery Model
Cisco is introducing an updated software release delivery model and specific EOL guidelines starting with the Cisco FND 4.9 software release.
The Cisco FND Software model has three types of software releases. Each release type has its own content, scope and release frequency. Cisco FND Software will target two software releases in a year, major or minor, 6 months after the last release, around Apr and Oct of every year. Based upon customers' feedback, or internal assessments citing critical, time-sensitives needs, Cisco may release at most 2 patches in the 6 months between any two consecutive (major or minor) releases, but every attempt will be made to avoid a patch and maintain a time-based schedule.
The examples in these guidelines use the A.B.C. format for release version numbers, for example 5.0.1
Cause of A / Major Release:
● Any addition or removal of device support (hardware product or module) or change in licensing will cause a major release. For example, support for a new kind of end point, router etc. A major release may also have additional elements of a minor release or a patch but must have at least one triggering element of a major release.
(Note: 4.9 introduces C8000 support but is still deemed a minor release and an anomaly. Similar releases henceforth with invoke a change in ‘A’. Apart from this nomenclature deviation, everything else in this document still applies to 4.9)
Cause of B / Minor release:
● Any additional features or enhancements that significantly alter the functioning or performance. For example, High Availability, Disaster Recovery, Audit logs, Map interface etc. A minor release can also have additional elements of a patch but must not have any elements of a major release.
Cause of C / Patch:
● Critical bug fixes pertaining to system stability or security, as deemed necessary by Cisco.
Cisco Field Network Director Release milestones
The Cisco FND software version 4.9 onwards will adhere to the 24-month guidelines presented here. All previous will continue to follow their EoL schedules as announced.
Table 1. Cisco FND Release Software End-of-Sale and End-of-Life milestones
| Milestone |
Definition |
Timing |
| End of SW Maintenance |
The last date that Cisco Engineering may release any patches or bug fixes for the corresponding minor release. After this date, Cisco Engineering will no longer develop, repair, maintain, or test the product software for the version A.B. |
GA + 5Q (15M) Fifteen (15) months after GA (release date). |
| Last Day of Support |
The last date to receive applicable service and support for the product as entitled by active service contracts or by warranty terms and conditions. After this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete. |
GA + 10Q (15M) Thirty (30) months after GA (release date). |
Cisco FND recommends customers to migrate to the latest GA (Generally Available) release. Please refer to the FND release and compatibility guides here
The recommendation is to use the latest available patch release for the feature release.
For information on the supported upgrade paths, refer to the Cisco FND install and upgrade guides here.
Customers are encouraged to migrate to Cisco FND recommended patch release. For information on the current releases, refer to the Cisco FND release notes here. Cisco FND Customer’s with an active Cisco Support contract are eligible to seek support from Cisco Technical Assistance Centre (TAC).
End-of-Life Guideline Definition
The Cisco FND software version 4.9 onwards will adhere to the guidelines presented here.
● There will no longer be separate EOL announcements from 4.9 version onwards.
● This document will be updated with the timelines when the GA of the release A.B.C happens.
● Customers with active service contracts will continue to receive support from the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for Cisco FND as per the terms of the contract. After the Last Day of Support (LDOS) of Cisco FND, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete.
GA Dates and Corresponding End-of-life milestones
| Releases |
GA /FCS Announcement Date |
End of SW Maintenance Releases Date |
Last Date of Support |
| 4.10 |
06/28/2023 |
09/28/2024 |
12/28/2025 |
| 4.9.1 |
03/08/2023 |
06/08/2024 |
09/08/2025 |
| 4.9 |
09/28/2022 |
12/28/2023 |
03/28/2025 |
Support Timelines for Previous FND versions
| Releases |
EoL Announcement Date |
End of SW Maintenance Releases Date |
Last Date of Support |
| 4.8.x |
11/10/2022 |
05/11/2024 |
05/31/2026 |
| 4.7.x |
11/10/2022 |
05/11/2024 |
05/31/2026 |
| 4.6.x |
11/10/2022 |
05/11/2024 |
05/31/2026 |
The table above also shows EoL milestones for FND 4.6.x, 4.7.x and 4.8.x in alignment with previous norms. The publishing date of this document also serves as EoL announcement date for these releases. For more information, please contact your local Cisco account manager.
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