NetScaler ADC Firmware Release Cycle

NetScaler has announced the following updates to the ADC firmware release cycle.

• NetScaler ADC Firmware Release Cycle (7 year) will fall on all versions starting with 14.1 and all subsequent releases.
  • Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 will have feature releases approximately every ~8 weeks*.
  • Year 4, Year 5, and Year 6 will have maintenance releases approximately every ~8 weeks*
  • 年7将包括技术支持直到the End of Life (EOL) date for the firmware version.
• Versions 13.0 will follow the earlier 5 release cycle.
• Version 13.1 is already in the maintenance phase and will follow the 3-year maintenance phase instead of the previous 2-year cycle.
• There is no change in the Release Cycle for 13.0 and 12.1.
• To determine which build is a feature release vs maintenance release please access theCitrix ADC Downloads Pageand click on the Firmware which will specify if that particular build is a feature release or maintenance release.
• The CitrixFirmware Release Cycle matrixcontains information on all different firmware versions, their dates of feature release, maintenance release, and support. Please refer to this matrix for any questions on version release dates, EOM, EOS, and EOL.

*: The exact release cadence is subject to change and is only guidance currently.

FAQ:
What is the difference between maintenance and support only?

• Please check theProduct Lifecycle Support policyfor further explanation of the differences between maintenance and support.

What version (x.0 or x.1) is a customer entitled to?

• If you have valid maintenance, you can download or upgrade to any version that is currently available on the Citrix ADC Downloads Page, if the version is compatible with your hardware. Please refer to the Citrix ADC MPX hardware-firmware compatibility matrix and the SDX compatibility matrix to check if the version you are downloading is compatible with the platform you currently have.

Why are we skipping 14.0 and naming the next release as 14.1?

• • Earlier Citrix/NetScaler used to have two different support models: .0 releases had 3-year support and .1 was supported for 5 years. Because of this difference, few customers used to wait and deploy .1 releases (and skip .0 releases), as .1 releases were supported for more years.
  • The new model closely resembles the .1 model, as it is supported for a longer duration - 7 years now (3 years of feature phase + 3 years of maintenance phase + 1 year of support only phase).
  • We want to avoid .0/.1 confusion and start having .1 releases only. We will start using 14.1, 15.1, and 16.1 from now on for future releases.

How will the new model impact the 13.0 Release?

• • No changes to 13.0 release EOM/EOL timelines
    • EOM Date: Q3/23 (15-July-23)
    • EOL Date: Q3/24 (15-July-24)

How will the new model impact 13.1 Release?

• • 13.1 is already in maintenance phase, as of Q3/2023
  • We will have 3-years of maintenance phase instead of the previous 2-year plan.
  • 13.1 will reach EOM on 15-Sep-26 and EOL on 15-Sep-27

What is the EOM/EOL dates for 14.1?

• • 14.1 release will start with 3+3+1 Release model.
    • 14.1 GA in Q3/23 (Feature Phase Start)
    • Maintenance Phase Start during Q3/26
    • EOM during Q3/29
    • EOL during Q3/30
  • Please refer to//m.giftsix.com/support/product-lifecycle/product-matrix.htmlfor the current EOM/EOL dates.

Will this have any impact on the cloud service releases?

• • No, this change in the model will impact only ADC/ADM/Gateway On-Prem Releases.