We are updating the Lithium SMSC Lifecycle Policy to strengthen security and provide consistent support timelines. This communication supersedes previous communications regarding support policies and it requires your attention.
Key changes and deadlines#
Immediate End of Support for Pre-22.12 Versions
- Support for versions older than 22.12 ends immediately.
- All support services including Root Cause Analysis, Bug Fixes, and Patches have ceased.
- Urgent upgrade recommended.
Support Timeline for Versions 22.12 to 24.02
- Full Support for versions between 22.12 and 24.02 will end on March 31st, 2025.
- These versions will continue to receive Extended Life Support till December 31st 2025.
- Lithium versions between 22.12 and 24.02 run on RHEL 7, which no longer receives bug fixes, security fixes, hardware enablement, or root-cause analysis from Red Hat.
Upgrade Recommendation
- Upgrade to version 24.03 or later by 31 March 2025.
- Version 24.03+ includes the latest security features and platform updates.
New support structure (for version 24.03 and newer)#
Full Support period#
- 18 Months guaranteed minimum full support from the date of general availability.
- Full support extends to at least 6 months after the next major version release.
- Includes:
- Security updates
- Bug Fixes
- Feature Enhancements
Maintenance Support period#
- 12 months maintenance support begins after the end of Full Support period.
- Includes:
- Essential configuration support
- Root Cause Analysis
Extended Life Support#
- Optional, best-effort support for versions beyond Maintenance Support.
- Up to 18 months from the end of maintenance support period.
- No bug fixes, security fixes, hardware enablement, or root-cause analysis will be available during this phase.
- Support is provided only for existing installations.
- Skyvera reserves the right to terminate support in the Extended Life Phase at any time.
Important Notice#
All support services described in this policy are subject to having an active support contract. No support services can be provided without a valid support agreement in place.
Example timeline for version 24.03#
| Support Phase | Timeline | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Availability | March 2024 | Start | |
| Full Support | At least until September 2025 | Minimum 18 months | Guaranteed for at least 18 months and extends to 6 months after the next major version release |
| Maintenance Support | 12 months after Full Support ends | 12 months | Provides essential configuration support and Root Cause Analysis |
| Extended Life Support | Up to 18 months after Maintenance Support ends | Up to 18 months | Best-effort support only |
Example scenario: If version 25.01 releases in January 2026:
- Full Support for 24.03 would continue until July 2026 (6 months after 25.01 release)
- Maintenance Support would then run until July 2027
- Extended Life Support could potentially continue until January 2029
Required actions#
- Review your current Lithium SMSC version.
- Assess the implications of staying on an unsupported release.
- Email your account manager who can arrange a free technical consultation to:
- Discuss your current setup and available support options.
- Plan your upgrade to ensure a smooth transition.
Please note that all aspects of this lifecycle policy, including Full Support, Maintenance Support, and Extended Life Support periods, are only applicable to customers with active support contracts. If your support contract expires, all support services will cease regardless of the current lifecycle stage of your product version.
For any questions or concerns, please reach out to our support team.