Software Lifecycle Support Statement – Cisco ACI
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A comprehensive Cisco ACI Software release methodology has been developed to both preserve the integrity and stability of mission-critical networks and has the flexibility to respond to market needs for timely delivery of advanced networking features with multilayer intelligence.
This software lifecycle support statement is a guide to understanding the Cisco ACI Software release lifecycle. It describes the types of releases, their functions, and their timelines. It also describes the Cisco ACI Software release and image naming conventions.
Types of Cisco ACI Software Releases
Table 1 lists the Cisco ACI Software release variants: Major+, Major releases or trains, Feature releases and Maintenance releases.
Table 1. Cisco ACI Software Release Types
Each Cisco ACI Software release is uniquely numbered as A.B(C)x, where A is the Major+ release or train, B is a Major train that enhances a Major+ release, C is the numerical identifier of the sequence within the major train and x represents if this release is a Feature release or a Maintenance release.
Figure 1 is an example showing graphical representation of the Cisco ACI Software releases
Cisco ACI Software releases
Lifecycle of a Cisco ACI Software Release
Previously, ACI releases were designated as either a long-lived or a short-lived release. Now, all major releases are treated equally, and all major release trains will be designated as the recommended release within their lifecycle. Figure 2 represents the lifecycle of the ACI 6.2(x) release.
Example of Lifecycle of ACI software release
The lifecycle of an ACI release goes through four phases. These phases also align with various stages in the End-of-Life (EoL) process.
1. The lifecycle of a Major release starts with a feature development phase. This phase starts with First Customer Shipment (FCS), or the first release, on the major train. It represents the date of the first shipment of a software release to customers. There are two additional feature releases over the subsequent 12 months on this major train, where new features and enhancements are introduced.
2. At 12 months post FCS, the major release then enters the maintenance phase. This maintenance phase extends over 18 months, with regular software releases, where any potential defects or security vulnerabilities (PSIRTs) are addressed. No new features or enhancements are introduced during this phase, to ensure software stability.
3. At 30 months post FCS, it enters the extended support phase, under which it receives only PSIRT fixes. This date aligns with the End of Software Maintenance (EoSWM) milestone in the EoL process. An upgrade to a subsequent major release will be required to receive defect fixes.
4. At 54 months post FCS, it enters the End-of-Vulnerability/Security Support (EoVSS) milestone in the EoL process. This milestone also aligns with the Last Day of Support (LDoS) milestone. Beyond this date, no support will be provided for this major release.
For Cisco N9000 series switches running ACI software, customers will receive vulnerability (PSIRT) support through the hardware LDoS milestone on the final supported ACI release. Please see the hardware EoL announcement for hardware-specific milestones.
Upgrade and Migration
Cisco ACI will continue to innovate across major releases, while providing reliable and stable versions of ACI to our customers.
A new major release will be launched in Q4 of each calendar year, enabling customers to take advantage of new features and hardware in this new major release, while allowing other customers to remain on the previous major and recommended release, for those who want the reassurance of regular releases focused solely on defect fixes.
An example of how major releases overlap, including major release timelines and milestones, is outlined below in Figure 3.
Cisco ACI timelines across multiple releases
Table 2. ACI OS EoL Milestones
| ACI Software Train |
EoSWM Date |
EoVSS Date |
LDoS |
| 6.0(x) |
Nov 30 2025 |
Feb 28 2027 |
Aug 31 2027 |
| 6.1(x) |
Aug 30 2027 |
Feb 28 2029 |
Feb 28 2029 |
| 6.2(x) |
Jun 30 2028 |
Jun 30 2030 |
Jun 30 2030 |
| 6.3(x) |
June 30 2029 |
June 30 2031 |
June 30 2031 |
The Cisco ACI cadence-based software release methodology preserves the integrity, stability, and quality of customers' mission-critical networks. It has the flexibility to respond to market needs for timely delivery of innovative features. The primary attributes of this release methodology include the following:
● Major releases introduce significant new features, functions, and platforms
● Feature releases enhance the features and functions of ACI
● Maintenance releases address product defects
● Cisco ACI release notes: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/cloud-systems-management/application-policy-infrastructure-controller-apic/tsd-products-support-series-home.html
● Cisco APIC and Nexus 9000 Series Switches minimum recommended Cisco ACI releases: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/recommended-release/b_Recommended_Cisco_ACI_Releases.html
● Cisco APIC End of Life, End of sales announcements: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/cloud-systems-management/application-policy-infrastructure-controller-apic/eos-eol-notice-listing.html
● Cisco Nexus 9000 End of Life, End of Sales Notices: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/nexus-9000-series-switches/eos-eol-notice-listing.html