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IBM Storage Virtualize Family of Products Upgrade Planning

Question & Answer


Question

How can I determine which software release to use when planning to upgrade my IBM Storage Virtualize systems?

Note that this document was formally known as Spectrum Virtualize Family of Products Upgrade Planning

Answer

From version 8.4, IBM implemented a new Continuous Development release model to make it easier for clients to determine which is most suitable for them.  
Releases are now divided into two branches:
Long Term Support (LTS)
  • Contains new functionality in addition to all functionality introduced in previous LTS and Non-LTS releases.
  • Plan for quarterly fix packs (PTFs) but no new functionality will be added. This can deliver maximum stability.
  • Plan for one LTS release every 1 - 2 years.
  • Identified by zero as the third digit of the release number (for example 8.4.0.0).
  • IBM expects most clients to run the LTS branch.
  • Select this branch when stability is priority.

Non-Long Term Support (Non-LTS)
  • Contains new functionality in addition to all functionality introduced in previous LTS and Non-LTS releases.
  • Do not receive regular fix packs.  Fixes for issues introduced in a Non-LTS release will be delivered in a subsequent Non-LTS or LTS release.
  • Plan for multiple Non-LTS releases per year.
  • Identified by a nonzero as the third digit of the release number (for example 8.4.1.0).
  • To upgrade to a Non-LTS, a system must already be running a previous release (LTS or Non-LTS) on the same version.  For example, to upgrade to 8.4.2 the system must be running 8.4.0.x or 8.4.1.  To upgrade from 8.4.2 to 8.5.2, the system must first be upgraded to 8.5.0.x.
  • If new functionality is the priority, select this branch.

Further information about this new release model can be found on the frequently asked questions (FAQ) page: 

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6409554
 


In the following tables, the levels shown under the Minimum PTF heading are considered stable release levels. Systems running on or higher these levels can remain in place unless an update is required for specific fixes or new function.

The levels shown under the recommended PTF heading are considered stable release levels that accumulated a reasonable amount of runtime in client environments, might contain critical fixes.  Clients planning to upgrade code can choose a level from this column unless a higher level is required for specific fixes or new function.

All releases marked as 'Recommended' are considered to have equivalent stability.

The dates in brackets show the release date of the PTF.

For more information, refer to the hardware interoperability matrix for your system to identify which software levels are supported.  Links to these pages are provided at the end of this page.

Long Term Support (LTS) releases:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
8.5.0
Recommended
 8.5.0.5
[Aug 2022]		 8.5.0.6
[Nov 2022]		 8.5.0.8
[May 2023]
8.4.0
Recommended
 8.4.0.6
[Jan 2022]		 8.4.0.9
[Sep 2022]		 8.4.0.11
[May 2023]

Note: 8.5.0 is the minimum supported version for SAN Volume Controller SV3, FlashSystem 7300, and FlashSystem 9500 systems.

Version 8.3 and earlier releases:

Release Minimum PTF Recommended PTF Latest PTF
8.3
Recommended
 8.3.1.6
[Oct 2021]		 8.3.1.8
[Sep 2022]		 8.3.1.9
[Jan 2023]
8.2 and earlier
 End Of Support

Non-Long Term Support (Non-LTS) releases:

Non-LTS releases are recommended only if new features are required.  For more information about this topic, refer to the guidance earlier on this page on the differences between LTS and non-LTS releases.

Release Latest PTF
8.5.4
8.5.4.0
[Mar 2023]
8.5.3
8.5.3.1
[Dec 2022]
8.5.2
 8.5.2.2
[Oct 2022]
8.5.1 Superseded by 8.5.2 (Non-LTS)
8.4.2 Superseded by 8.5.0 (LTS)
8.4.1 Superseded by 8.5.0 (LTS)

It is not necessary to upgrade every time a new PTF level is released. For example, most clients typically upgrade their systems once or twice per year.

Visit the IBM Support Software Lifecycle site to determine when a specific release reaches End of Support (EOS).

Visit the  Concurrent Compatibility and Code Cross Reference for IBM Storage Virtualize page to determine the appropriate upgrade path for your system.

The following hardware interoperability matrices show the software levels supported for each product family and hardware model.

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Document Information

Modified date:
26 May 2023

UID

ssg1S1005283

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