Lifecycle for operating systems and add-ons
In the lifecycle of a product, end of support (EOS) is the last date that IBM Cloud® delivers standard support for a version or release of a product. The end of support date is aligned to the vendor and community support dates. The EOS date is also the effective date that the product ceases to exist (is deprecated) and can no longer be ordered or purchased. See the following sections for operating system and add-on EOS dates for the Classic infrastructure.
Boot disk sizes vary by operating system: Linux OS supports 25 GB and 100 GB boot disk sizes. Windows supports only a 100 GB boot disk size.
Operating system lifecycles
See the following information to learn about operating system and add-on lifecycles.
Ciena vRouter (Vyatta)
Ciena vRouter is updated regularly with the previous release deprecating when a new version is released. For more information, see About the VRA.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| 2308 (available only on bare metal servers) | 18 February 2026 |
| 2204 (available only on bare metal servers) | 04 April 2025 |
| 2110 (available only on bare metal servers) | 19 April 2024 |
| 2012 (available only on bare metal servers) | 14 June 2024 |
| 1912 (available only on bare metal servers) | 31 December 2022 |
| 1908 (available only on bare metal servers) | 31 December 2022 |
CentOS
The following table describes the end of support date for CentOS operating systems. This guest OS is a free operating system. For more information, see CentOS Linux.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| CentOS Stream 9 | 31 May 2027 |
| CentOS Stream 8 (available only on bare metal servers) | 31 May 2024 |
| CentOS 8.x | 31 December 2021 |
| CentOS 7.9 | 30 June 2024 |
| CentOS 6 | 30 November 2020 |
CentOS 8 doesn't support "Add on" software configurations. CentOS 8 also doesn't support the Provision script and User data selections for server configuration options. If you're migrating from a server that has "Add on" software configurations, you can choose to migrate to an earlier version.
Citrix XenServer
The following table describes the end of support date for Citrix XenServer operating systems. This guest OS is a free operating system. For more information, see Citrix product matrix.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| 8.2 LTSR (available only on bare metal servers) | 30 June 2025 |
Debian
The following table describes the end of support date for Debian operating systems. This guest OS is a free operating system. For more information, see Debian community.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| Debian 12 | 30 June 2028 |
| Debian 11 | 30 June 2026 |
| Debian 10 | 30 June 2024 |
| Debian 9 | 30 June 2022 |
Debian 10 doesn't support add on software configurations. Debian 10 also doesn't support the Provision script and User data selections for server configuration options. If you're migrating from a server that has "Add on" software configurations, you can choose to migrate to an earlier version.
OSNEXUS (QuantaStor)
The following table describes the end of support date for OSNEXUS QuantaStor operating systems. For more information, see OSNEXUS product notifications.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| 6.2 (available only on bare metal servers) | 30 July 2025 |
| 5.x (available only on bare metal servers) | 30 April 2023 |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
The following table describes the end of support date for RHEL operating systems. This guest OS is a paid operating system. For more information, see Red Hat Enterprise Linux. For more information about support for Red Hat, see FAQs about Red Hat and IBM Cloud® infrastructure
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| RHEL 9.2 | 31 May 2027 |
| RHEL 9.0 | 31 May 2024 |
| RHEL 8.10 | 31 May 2029 |
| RHEL 8.8 | 31 May 2025 |
| RHEL 8.6 | 31 May 2024 |
| RHEL 8.4 | 31 May 2023 |
| RHEL 8.3 | 30 April 2021 |
| RHEL 8.2 | 30 April 2022 |
| RHEL 8.1 | 30 November 2021 |
| RHEL 7.9 | 30 June 2024 |
| RHEL 6 | 30 November 2020 |
| SAP HANA and SAP applicatiions | |
| RHEL 9.2 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 31 May 2027 |
| RHEL 8.10 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 31 May 2029 |
| RHEL 8.6 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 31 May 2026 |
| RHEL 8.2 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 28 February 2023 |
| RHEL 7.6 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 28 February 2023 |
RHEL 8 and 9 don't support "Add on" software configurations. RHEL 8 and 9 also don't support the Provision script and User data selections for configuration options. If you're migrating from a server that has "Add on" software configurations, you can choose to migrate to an earlier version.
Rocky Linux
Rocky Linux is updated regularly, with the previous release deprecating when a new version is released. This guest OS is a free operating system. For more information, see Rocky Linux.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| Rocky Linux 8.x | 31 May 2029 |
| Rocky Linux 9.x | 31 May 2032 |
Ubuntu LTS
The following table describes the end of support date for Ubuntu LTS operating systems. This guest OS is a free operating system. For more information, see Ubuntu.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 minimal | 30 April 2029 |
| Ubuntu 22.04 minimal | 30 April 2027 |
| Ubuntu 20.04 minimal | 30 April 2025 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 minimal | 31 May 2023 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 minimal | 01 April 2021 |
VMware
The following table describes the end of support date for VMware operating systems. This guest OS is a free operating system.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| 7 all versions (available only on bare metal servers) | 02 October 2026 |
| 6.7 all versions (available only on bare metal servers) | 15 October 2022 |
| 6.5 all versions (available only on bare metal servers) | 15 October 2022 |
Cascade Lake-based servers with VMware vSphere 8.x don't support TPM 1.2 or secure boot.
Windows Server
The following table describes the end of support date for Windows Server operating systems. This guest OS is a paid operating system. For more information, see Microsoft Windows Server. For more information about support for Microsoft, see FAQs about Microsoft and IBM Cloud® infrastructure.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| Windows Server 2022 | 14 October 2031 |
| Windows Server 2019 core | 09 January 2029 |
| Windows Server 2019 full standard | 09 January 2029 |
| Windows Server 2016 core | 11 January 2027 |
| Windows Server 2016 full standard | 11 January 2027 |
| Windows Server 2012 full standard | 10 October 2023 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 full standard | 10 October 2023 |
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)
The following table describes the end of support date and license model for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) operating systems. This guest OS is a paid operating system. For more information, see [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server].(https://www.suse.com/products/server/){: external}.
| Operating system | End of support |
|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP4 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 31 Dec 2023 |
| SLES 15 SP3 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 31 Dec 2022 |
| SLES 15 SP2 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 31 Dec 2021 |
| SLES 15 SP1 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 31 Jan 2021 |
| SLES 12 SP5 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) LTSS | 31 October 2027 |
| SLES 12 SP5 (SAP HANA and SAP applications) | 31 October 2024 |
Add-on software and hypervisor lifecycles
The following table describes the end of support date for product add-ons and hypervisors.
| Add-on or hypervisor | End of support |
|---|---|
| Citrix Hypervisor 8.x | 25 June 2030 |
| Citrix XenServer 7.x | 15 August 2022 |
| cPanel 11.x | No EOS date announced |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2022 | 11 January 2033 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2019 | 8 January 2030 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2017 | 12 October 2027 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2014 | 9 July 2024 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Web | 12 July 2022 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Standard | 12 July 2022 |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Enterprise | 12 July 2022 |
| MongoDB Community Edition 1.0 | 20 November 2023 |
| MySQL 5.7 on IBM Cloud® Bare Metal | 20 November 2023 |
| Plesk Obsidian (Windows, Linux) | No EOS date announced |
| R1Soft Server Backup Manager 6.x Enterprise | No EOS date announced |
| Veeam Backup (Windows) 12.x | 28 February 2026 |
| Veeam Backup (Windows) 11.x | 29 February 2024 |
| Veeam Backup (Windows) 9.x | 31 January 2022 |
End of Support (EOS) announcements
End of Support (EOS) is the last date that IBM Cloud® delivers standard support for a version or release of a product. The end of support date is aligned to the vendor and community support dates. The EOS date is also the effective date that the product ceases to exist (is deprecated) and can no longer be ordered or purchased.
MongoDB Community Edition 1.0 EOS
MongoDB Community Edition 1.0 is a free software that is available as an add-on to IBM Bare Metal Servers. Support for this software discontinues on 20 November 2023.
This deprecation has no impact on IBM Cloud® Databases for MongoDB.
Review the following details for this deprecation:
- After 20 November 2023, MongoDB Community Edition 1.0 is no longer supported. Which includes updates, bug fixes, and technical support for the product. After deprecation, clients can't download the software.
- If you are using MongoDB Community Edition 1.0, the software will continue to run after the EOS date. However, after this date, IBM will not provide support, including bug fixes or security updates.
- If you don't upgrade to the latest version, you do so at your own risk. The lack of support and updates can expose your systems and apps to security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. See the following details about upgrading to the latest version.
For existing customers, upgrade to the latest version.
- To continue using MongoDB on IBM Cloud® Bare Metal Servers, it is recommended that you upgrade to the latest supported version of MongoDB. By doing so, you can take advantage of new features, performance improvements, and security patches.
- To upgrade to the latest version of MongoDB, you can use either the open source version of MongoDB or bring your licensed copies to IBM Cloud® Bare Metal servers. Alternatively, you can choose to migrate your databases to the IBM Cloud® Databases for MongoDB service. By using IBM Cloud® Databases, you can make sure that your database service remains supported and secure.
- For more information, see the following resources:
- IBM partners can provide migration support to help you smoothly transition to the latest version of MongoDB. However, this migration support does come with a cost.
MySQL 5.7 on IBM Cloud® Bare Metal EOS
MySQL 5.7 on IBM Bare Metal Classic is free software available as an add-on to IBM Bare Metal Servers. Support for this software discontinues on 20 November 2023. The service will be removed from the IBM Cloud® catalog on 21 September 2023.
This deprecation has no impact on IBM Cloud® Databases for MySQL.
Review the following details for this deprecation.
- After 20 November 2023, MySQL 5.7 on IBM Bare Metal Servers is no longer supported. Which includes updates, bug fixes, and technical support for the product. After this date, clients can't download the software.
- If you are using MySQL 5.7, the software will continue to run after the end-of-support date. However, after this date, IBM will not provide support, including bug fixes or security updates.
- If you don't upgrade to the latest version of MySQL and continue using MySQL 5.7, you do so at your own risk. The lack of support and updates can expose your systems and apps to security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. See the following details about upgrading to the latest version.
For existing customers, upgrade to the latest version.
- To continue using MySQL, it is recommended that you upgrade to the latest supported version of MySQL, Version 8.0. By doing so, you can take advantage of new features, performance improvements, and security patches.
- To upgrade to the latest version of MySQL, you can use either the open source version of MySQL or bring your licensed copies to IBM Cloud® Bare Metal. Alternatively, you can choose to migrate your databases to the IBM Cloud® Databases for MySQL service. By using IBM Cloud® Databases, you can make sure that your database service remains supported and secure.
- For more information, see the following resources:
- IBM partners can provide migration support to help you smoothly transition to the latest version of MySQL. However, this migration support does come with a cost.
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 EOS
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 is a database software that is available as an add-on to IBM Bare Metal Servers. Support for this software ends on 9 July 2024. Which includes updates, bug fixes, and technical support for the product. After this date, clients can't download the software.
Review the following details for this deprecation:
- If you are using MS SQL Server 2014, the software will continue to run after the EOS date. However, after this date, IBM will not provide support, including bug fixes or security updates.
- If you don't upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft SQL Server 2022, the lack of support and updates can expose your systems and apps to security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues.
For existing customers, upgrade to the latest version.
- To continue using MS SQL Server on IBM Cloud® Bare Metal and VSI Servers, it is recommended that you upgrade to the latest supported version of MS SQL Server 2022. By doing so, you can take advantage of new features, performance improvements, and security patches.
- IBM partners can provide migration support to help you smoothly transition to the latest version of Microsoft SQL Server 2014. However, this migration support does come with a cost.