This policy outlines the procedures and guidelines for products reaching the end of their lifecycle at Open-E. It is applicable to all products, with adjustments made as necessary based on specific product timelines. With this policy, Open-E aims to help customers manage the transition from EOL products to newer products with minimal disruption to operations.
General EOL Guidelines
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EOL Announcement and Final Product Sales
Open-E will announce the EOL date for each product via the website, newsletters, and social media channels.
This EOL date is the last day the product will be available for purchase. After this date, no further sales of the product and related services (support, extensions, etc) will take place.
We encourage customers to check these platforms regularly for EOL product updates and subscribe to Open-E's Newsletter.
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Support Contracts
Existing support contracts will continue to be honored until their expiration.
Beyond the EOL date, support will rely on previously issued patches and known solutions to provide remedies for critical software issues previously reported to Open-E Support.
Customers will be required to use the latest software release to resolve any issues where applicable.
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Driver and Hardware Compatibility
Be aware that new hardware introduced after the EOL date may not be compatible with the EOL product.
Only hardware listed on either the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) or the list of certified servers (LCS) will be supported post-EOL. Hardware not on the HCL or LCS may be incompatible with the EOL product.
Once a product reaches EOL, the HCL and LCS will no longer be updated; no updates will be provided for new drivers.
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Product Security and Updates
No new security patches, updates, or bug fixes will be provided post-EOL.
We urge customers to install the latest released version of the software before the EOL date.
Transition Support
To support customers during the transition away from EOL products, Open-E will provide the following:
- Migration Assistance: Consultation and assistance in transitioning to a new product. This includes guidance on data migration, hardware upgrades, and system integration.
- Legacy Documentation: Access to archived documentation and support for customers who require information on configuration, maintenance, and usage.
Recommendations
Customers using EOL products are strongly advised to:
- Review support contracts and consider upgrading to the latest version before the EOL date.
- Ensure that planned hardware replacements are listed on either the HCL or LCS before the EOL date.
- Plan for product migration to Open-E’s newer product well in advance to avoid potential compatibility issues or system vulnerabilities.
Industry-Standard Compliance
This policy aligns with industry best practices for software lifecycle management. Open-E encourages customers to regularly update both their hardware and software systems in accordance with best practices for IT infrastructure.