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 and F5 BIG-IP Edge Portal application software delivered through the Apple App Store or Android Market. F5 will support only the latest versions of these client applications.
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.
Beginning with BIG-IP 12.0.0, F5 has moved to an alternating Major Release/Long Term Stability Release model:
For Major Releases (x.0.0), the Standard Support phase begins with the first customer ship date of the release and continues for 15 months. When this milestone is reached, the Major Release has reached its End of Software Development (EoSD) phase. BIG-IP ASM attack signature files are updated for major releases until the release reaches its EoSD phase.
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 and subsequent x.1.0 releases
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 phase. Software versions that have reached their EoSD date are no longer supported with active software development. These software versions will continue to receive reasonable effort configuration support until reaching their EoTS date. However, F5 will not provide software fixes (hotfixes) or consulting services for that version during the EoSD phase.
For software releases, unless specifically declared and announced by F5, one year after the EoSD date is the EoTS date. 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 and Long-Term Stability Release 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 |
17.1.x | March 14, 2023 | March 31, 2027 | March 31, 2027 | 17.1.1 |
16.1.x | July 7, 2021 | July 31, 2025 | July 31, 2025 | 16.1.4 |
15.1.x | December 11, 2019 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2024 | 15.1.10 |
14.1.x | December 11, 2018 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | 14.1.5 |
13.1.x | December 19, 2017 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2023 | 13.1.5 |
Note: EoTS and EoSD will occur on the same date, unless specified otherwise.
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 |
16.0.x | October 7, 2021 | October 7, 2021 |
15.0.x | August 23, 2020 | August 23, 2020 |
14.1.2.4 | May 11, 2020 | May 11, 2020 |
14.0.x | November 9, 2019 | November 9, 2019 |
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 |
Supplemental Information
- K2200: Most recent versions of F5 software
- K8986: F5 product support policies
- K13378: End of Software Development for BIG-IP 10.x
- K10735: End of Software Development for BIG-IP 9.x
- K11478: End of Life/End of Sale index
- K46066337: Certain BIG-IP releases are not publicly available
- K9502: BIG-IP hotfix and point release matrix
- K8217: Managing BIG-IP ASM attack signatures
- K9957: Creating a custom RSS feed to view new and updated documents
- K9970: Subscribing to email notifications regarding F5 products
- K55201922: Locating product release notes