IBM Storage Virtualize Family of Products Upgrade Planning

Created by Steven White on Fri, 05/08/2015 - 08:17
Published URL:
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/690527
690527

Question & Answer


Question

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

Note, this document was formerly 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:
Non-Long Term Support (Non-LTS)
  • Does not receive regular fix packs.  Fixes for issues 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 non-zero as the third digit of the release number (for example 8.6.1.0).
  • 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 8.6.2.x the system must be running 8.6.0.x or 8.6.1.x.  To upgrade from 8.5.2.x to 8.6.2.x, the system must first be upgraded to 8.6.0.x. Visit the Concurrent Compatibility and Code Cross Reference for IBM Storage Virtualize page to identify the supported upgrade paths for your system.
Long Term Support (LTS)
  • Plan for quarterly fix packs (PTFs).
  • Plan for one LTS release per year.
  • Identified by zero as the third digit of the release number (for example 8.6.0.0).
     

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
9.1.0
9.1.0.0
[July 2025]
9.1.0.1
[Aug 2025]
9.1.0.1
[Aug 2025]
8.7.0
Recommended
8.7.0.0
[June 2024]
8.7.0.6 - FlashSystem 9500
8.7.0.6 - PBR or PBHA
[July 2025]
8.7.0.6
[July 2025]
8.7.0.6
[July 2025]
8.6.0
Recommended
 8.6.0.0
[June 2023]		 8.6.0.9
[Aug 2025]		 8.6.0.9
[Aug 2025]
8.5.0
Recommended
 8.5.0.5
[Aug 2022]		 8.5.0.16
[Aug 2025]		 8.5.0.16
[Aug 2025]
8.4.0
End of Service (EOS)**
 8.4.0.6
[Jan 2022]		 8.4.0.18
[Aug 2025]		 8.4.0.18
[Aug 2025]

Notes:

  • ** 8.4.0 has reached end of service (EOS) for all systems except FlashSystem 5010 and Storwize V5010E with 8GB memory per node canister.
  • 8.5.0 is the minimum supported version for SAN Volume Controller SV3, FlashSystem 7300, and FlashSystem 9500 systems.
  • 8.6.0 is the minimum supported version for FlashSystem 5045.
  • 8.6.3 is the minimum supported version for FlashSystem 5300.
  • 8.7.2.2 is the minimum supported version for FlashSystem C200.

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
8.7.3 8.7.3.3  [July 2025]
8.7.1 / 8.7.2 Superseded by 8.7.3
8.6.1 / 8.6.2 / 8.6.3 Superseded by 8.7.0 (LTS)
8.5.1 / 8.5.2 / 8.5.3 / 8.5.4 Superseded by 8.6.0 (LTS)
8.4.1 / 8.4.2 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.

Internal Use Only

8 May 2015 - Wording provided by Steve White

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Document Information

Modified date:
08 September 2025

UID

ssg1S1005283

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