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