Communicator e3000 MPE/iX Release 6.5 Express 2 (Software Release C.65.02) (30216-90322)

Chapter 5 65

Product Release History

Supported Releases

The naming conventions for the different types of releases have been changed slightly to

clarify the type of release being discussed. The terms used to describe or refer to the

releases are:

Mainline Release A mainline release involves the recompilization and reintegration of

all software release components (FOS, SLT, and SUBSYS tapes). The

release number is changed (for example, 6.0 or 6.5) and the update "UU"

ﬁeld of the V.UU.FF is changed. There are two types of mainline releases:

Platform

and

Non-Platform

Platform Release A platform release (previously also known as a "core" release) is a

subset of a mainline release. Typically, the release number ends with a "0"

such as 6.0. Platform releases are

automatically distributed

to all

customers with support contracts.

Non-Platform Release A non-platform release (previously known as a "major" release)

is a subset of the mainline release. The release number typically ends with

a "5" such as 6.5. Non-platform releases must be

explicitly ordered

customers.

Both platform and non-platform releases can be referred to as

mainline

releases

when not discussing distribution or extended support life.

The following matrix provides information on the supported Commercial Systems MPE/iX

mainline releases. It lists the currently supported releases and the SPUs they are

supported on. The matrix also provides all known factory support termination dates. When

a mainline release becomes unsupported, the factory will not provide any support services

for that release. Online calls are not accepted and patches are not created; customers are

advised to roll to a supported release.

• In general, HP will support the two most recent mainline releases.

• In order to facilitate customers moving to new releases, we will support the oldest

release for at least six months after the new release ships. In other words, Release "N-2"

will still be supported for at least six months after Release "N" ships.

• The release of an Express Release or a Powerpatch on any particular release does not

extend its support life.

Given the rate with which we ship releases, this new strategy implies that any particular

release will be supported for at least three years, and in most cases, most releases will be

supported for a signiﬁcantly longer period of time.

This new strategy is effective now. This implies that Release 5.5 will become obsolete as

early as six months after Release 6.5 ships.