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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 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 shipEnd of Software DevelopmentEnd of Technical SupportLatest maintenance release
17.1.xMarch 14, 2023March 31, 2027March 31, 202717.1.1
16.1.xJuly 7, 2021July 31, 2025July 31, 202516.1.4
15.1.xDecember 11, 2019December 31, 2024December 31, 202415.1.10
14.1.xDecember 11, 2018December 31, 2023December 31, 202314.1.5
13.1.xDecember 19, 2017December 31, 2022December 31, 202313.1.5

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 branchEnd of Software DevelopmentEnd of Technical Support
17.0.xJuly 31, 2023July 31, 2023
16.0.xOctober 7, 2021October 7, 2021
15.0.xAugust 23, 2020August 23, 2020
14.1.2.4May 11, 2020May 11, 2020
14.0.xNovember 9, 2019November 9, 2019
13.0.xMay 22, 2018May 22, 2019
12.0.0December 2, 2016December 2, 2017
12.1.xMay 18, 2021May 18, 2022
11.6.xMay 10, 2021May 10, 2022
11.6.0August 25, 2016August 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, 2019April 8, 2020
11.5.1April 8, 2018April 8, 2019
11.5.0January 31, 2016January 31, 2017
11.4.1September 17, 2016September 17, 2017
11.4.0June 11, 2015June 11, 2016
11.3.0December 17, 2014December 17, 2015
11.2.1December 31, 2017December 31, 2018
11.2.0June 11, 2014June 11, 2015
11.1.0November 28, 2013November 28, 2014
11.0.0August 24, 2013August 24, 2014
10.2.4
10.2.3
10.2.2
10.2.1		December 31, 2015December 31, 2016
10.2.0December 31, 2012December 31, 2013
10.1.0March 1, 2015March 1, 2016
10.0.1August 31, 2012August 31, 2013
10.0.0March 12, 2011March 12, 2012
9.4.8August 31, 2012August 31, 2013
9.4.7
9.4.6		December 31, 2011December 31, 2012
9.6.x
9.4.5 and earlier
9.3.x		March 31, 2011March 31, 2012
9.2.xJuly 31, 2007July 31, 2008
9.1.xApril 30, 2008April 30, 2009
9.0.xMay 18, 2006May 18, 2007
4.6.0
4.5.0		December 31, 2008December 31, 2009
4.2.0June 30, 2005June 30, 2006

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