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Understanding IBM software currency policy

Understanding IBM software currency policy

Review the following policies to understand how IBM® maintains software currency for VMware® by Broadcom and third-party software.

IBM defines a major release as the first update level after a VMware major release (for example, 8.0u1) with the following exceptions:

  • Third-party certifications on a new release. For example, IBM does not certify that Zerto works on VMware vSphere ESXi™ 8.0u1.
  • IBM code freeze windows.
Software currency policies
VMware vSphere and VMware Cloud Director releases Target
Major releases (for example, 7.x) Up to 9 months
Minor releases (for example, 7.1.x) Up to 4 months
Patches, hotfixes, and maintenance packs Up to 45 days
Day zero uses (IBM security policy) Within 5 days
Software currency policies
Third-party releases Target
Major releases Up to 4 months
Minor releases Up to 45 days
Patches, hotfixes, maintenance packs Up to 45 days
Day zero uses (IBM security policy) Within 5 days