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Policy Information

Note: The BIG-IP software support policy described in this article also applies to Virtual Edition (VE) releases of the software.

Note: The F5 software support policy described in this article does not apply to the F5 BIG-IP Edge Client application software delivered through the Apple App Store or Android Market. F5 will support only the latest versions of these client applications.

Note: F5 has made the strategic decision to stop development of BIG-IP Next and instead modernize its BIG-IP TMOS software. BIG-IP Next 20.3 was the final version of BIG-IP Next, and this version reached end of life on April 30, 2025. For more information, refer to K000152956: BIG-IP strategic update: Modernizing BIG-IP TMOS and discontinuing BIG-IP Next.

Note: F5 will ensure continuity of BIG-IP TMOS software with future releases of BIG-IP 17.x. F5 will continue to invest in hardware through the rSeries and VELOS platforms, which will support BIG-IP 17.x and future versions of BIG-IP TMOS including 21.x.

Software version support of BIG-IP software

The BIG-IP Standard Support phase is characterized by the introduction of new features, as well as security updates, stability improvements, and new hardware support.

Starting with BIG-IP 12.0.0, F5 adopted an alternating Major Release and Long-Term Stability Release model:

For Major Releases (x.0.0) up to and including BIG-IP 17.0.0, the Standard Support phase begins with the first customer ship date of the release and continues for 15 months. For Major releases (x.0.0) beyond BIG-IP 21.0.0, the Standard Support phase begins with the first customer ship date of the release and continues for 9 months. When this milestone is reached, the Major Release has reached its End of Software Development (EoSD) and End of Technical Support (EoTS) milestone. BIG-IP ASM attack signature files are updated for major releases until the release reaches its EoSD milestone.

Each x.1.0 release marks the start of the Long-Term Stability Release. The initial release (x.1.0) contains new features, stability improvements, and new hardware support. Subsequent maintenance releases (x.1.1 to x.1.n) address product defects, security fixes, diagnostic and supportability improvements, minor functional improvements, and new hardware support. Software Development support activities will occur only on the latest maintenance release of each Long-Term Stability Release (x.1.latest) while the Long-Term Stability Release is within the Standard Support phase. The Standard Support phase for the Long-Term Stability Release begins with the first customer ship date of the x.1.0 release and extends for the following duration:

  • Five years – BIG-IP versions prior to 16.1.0
  • Four years – BIG-IP version 16.1.0 to 17.5.x
  • Three years – BIG-IP version 21.1.0 and subsequent x.1.0 releases

After the 17.1.x Long-Term Stability Release, F5 introduced the 17.5.x series, starting with 17.5.0. Like 17.1.x, it is a Long-Term Stability Release, but with a different standard support phase duration, as outlined in the following table.

BIG-IP ASM attack signature files are updated for maintenance releases until the associated Long-Term Stability Release reaches its EoSD milestone.

Note: For more information about Major, Feature, and Maintenance release numbering, refer to K8986: F5 software life cycle policy.

At the end of a release’s Standard Support phase, the release enters its EoSD and EoTS milestone. Software versions that have reached their EoSD date are no longer supported with active software development. F5 will not provide software fixes (hotfixes) or consulting services for a version that has reached the EoSD milestone.

For software releases, unless specifically declared and announced by F5, the EoTS date marks the end of the software version’s support phase.

The following tables list the Major Release and Long-Term Stability Release versions of BIG-IP software that are currently supported under the policy described in this article.

Note: For more information about specific releases, such as release date and supported platforms, refer to K9412: The BIG-IP release matrix.

Major Release, Minor Release, and Long-Term Stability Release versions supported with active software development

Major Release, Minor Release, and Long-Term Stability Release versions First customer ship End of Software Development End of Technical Support Latest maintenance release
21.1.x May 5, 2026 May 5, 2029 May 5, 2029 None
21.0.x November 6, 2025 August 6, 2026 August 6, 2026 None
17.5.x1 February 27, 2025 January 1, 2029 January 1, 2029 17.5.1
17.1.x March 14, 2023 March 31, 2027 March 31, 2027 17.1.3

117.5.x is a Long-Term Stability Release with a longer than three-year Standard Support phase.</p

Note: Beginning with BIG-IP 21.0.0, Short-Term Stability Releases will have a software lifecycle of 9 months—reduced from 12 months with previous software versions. Beginning with BIG-IP 21.1.0, Long-Term Stability Releases will have a three-year Standard Support phase from First customer ship date, reduced from four years with previous software versions.

Note: For more information regarding BIG-IP software compatibility with F5 hardware systems, refer to K9476: The F5 hardware/software compatibility matrix.

Important: Hardware and software have independent lifecycles. For iSeries or VIPRION hardware products, End of Software Support (EoSS) is scheduled for January 1, 2027; October 1, 2027; or April 1, 2026. To continue receiving software support, customers must transition to rSeries or VELOS hardware running a supported software version listed in K9476: The F5 Hardware/Software Compatibility Matrix before the respective date.

Note: EoTS and EoSD will occur on the same date, unless specified otherwise.

Major Release and Long-Term Stability Release FIPS versions supported with active software development

Major Release and Long-Term Stability Release versions First customer ship End of Software Development End of Technical Support Latest maintenance release
16.1.x
(only iSeries with FIPS Addon license and VIPRION with FIPS Addon license)		 July 7, 2021 July 1, 2026 July 1, 2026 16.1.6

Branches of BIG-IP software that have reached EoL

The following BIG-IP software version branches have reached their EoTS phase, completing their End of Life (EoL) cycle.

Software version or branch End of Software Development End of Technical Support
17.0.x July 31, 2023 July 31, 2023
16.1.x July 31, 2025 July 31, 2025
16.0.x October 7, 2021 October 7, 2021
15.1.x
(only FIPS Validated platforms and VE FIPS Addon license)		 December 31, 2025 December 31, 2025
15.1.x December 31, 2024 December 31, 2024
15.0.x August 23, 2020 August 23, 2020
14.1.x December 31, 2023 December 31, 2023
14.1.2.4 May 11, 2020 May 11, 2020
14.0.x November 9, 2019 November 9, 2019
13.1.x December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023
13.0.x May 22, 2018 May 22, 2019
12.0.0 December 2, 2016 December 2, 2017
12.1.x May 18, 2021 May 18, 2022
11.6.x May 10, 2021 May 10, 2022
11.6.0 August 25, 2016 August 25, 2017
11.5.10
11.5.9
11.5.8
11.5.7
11.5.6
11.5.5
11.5.4
11.5.3
11.5.2		 April 8, 2019 April 8, 2020
11.5.1 April 8, 2018 April 8, 2019
11.5.0 January 31, 2016 January 31, 2017
11.4.1 September 17, 2016 September 17, 2017
11.4.0 June 11, 2015 June 11, 2016
11.3.0 December 17, 2014 December 17, 2015
11.2.1 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2018
11.2.0 June 11, 2014 June 11, 2015
11.1.0 November 28, 2013 November 28, 2014
11.0.0 August 24, 2013 August 24, 2014
10.2.4
10.2.3
10.2.2
10.2.1		 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016
10.2.0 December 31, 2012 December 31, 2013
10.1.0 March 1, 2015 March 1, 2016
10.0.1 August 31, 2012 August 31, 2013
10.0.0 March 12, 2011 March 12, 2012
9.4.8 August 31, 2012 August 31, 2013
9.4.7
9.4.6		 December 31, 2011 December 31, 2012
9.6.x
9.4.5 and earlier
9.3.x		 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2012
9.2.x July 31, 2007 July 31, 2008
9.1.x April 30, 2008 April 30, 2009
9.0.x May 18, 2006 May 18, 2007
4.6.0
4.5.0		 December 31, 2008 December 31, 2009
4.2.0 June 30, 2005 June 30, 2006

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