BIG-IP software support policy
Updated Date: Apr 24, 2019
Note: The BIG-IP software support policy described in this article also applies to Virtual Edition (VE) releases of the software.
Note: The F5 software support policy described in this article does not apply to the F5 BIG-IP Edge Client and F5 BIG-IP Edge Portal application software delivered through the Apple App Store or Android Market. F5 will support only the latest versions of these client applications.
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.
Beginning with BIG-IP 12.0.0, F5 has moved to an alternating Major Release/Long-Term Stability Release model:
For Major Releases (x.0.0), the Standard Support phase begins with the first customer ship date of the release and continues for 15 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 five years. BIG-IP ASM attack signature files are updated for maintenance releases until the associated Long-Term Stability Release reaches its EoSD milestone.
Note: For more information about Major, Feature, and Maintenance release numbering, refer to K8986: F5 software lifecycle policy.
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.
Note: For more information about specific releases, such as release date and supported platforms, refer to K9412: The BIG-IP release matrix.
Major Release and Long-Term Stability Release 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 |
| 14.1.x | December 11, 2018 | December 11, 2023 | December 11, 2023 | 14.1.0 |
| 14.0.x | August 9, 2018 | November 9, 2019 | November 9, 2019 | 14.0.0 |
| 13.1.x | December 19, 2017 | December 19, 2022 | December 19, 2023 | 13.1.1 |
| 12.1.x | May 18, 2016 | May 18, 2021 | May 18, 2022 | 12.1.4 |
| 11.6.x | May 10, 20161 | May 10, 2021 | May 10, 2022 | 11.6.4 |
1BIG-IP 11.6.x has entered the Long-Term Stability Release phase with the release of 11.6.1. All subsequent maintenance releases for BIG-IP 11.6.x are covered by this policy. EoSD and EoTS dates for earlier versions are defined by a previous version of this policy.
Note: EoTS and EoSD will occur on the same date, unless specified otherwise.
Versions that have not yet reached EoTS
| Software version or branch | First customer ship | End of Software Development | End of Technical Support |
| 13.0.x | February 22, 2017 | May 22, 2018 | May 22, 2019 |
| 11.5.x | April 8, 20141 | April 8, 2019 | April 8, 2020 |
1BIG-IP 11.5.x has entered the Long-Term Stability Release phase with the release of 11.5.2. All subsequent maintenance releases for BIG-IP 11.5.x are covered by this policy. EoSD and EoTS dates for earlier versions are defined by a previous version of this policy.
Minor and/or maintenance versions not listed in this table are past EoTS and no longer supported.
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 |
| 11.5.1 | April 8, 2018 | April 8, 2019 |
| 12.0.0 | December 2, 2016 | December 2, 2017 |
| 11.6.0 | August 25, 2016 | August 25, 2017 |
| 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
- K3225: Overview of the F5 End of Life policy
- 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
- 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