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When should I upgrade ONTAP?

Contributors netapp-aherbin netapp-ahibbard netapp-dbagwell
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You should upgrade your ONTAP software on a regular cadence. Upgrading ONTAP allows you to take advantage of new and enhanced features and functionality and implement current fixes for known issues.

Major ONTAP upgrades

A major ONTAP upgrade or feature release typically includes:

  • New ONTAP features

  • Key infrastructure changes, such as fundamental changes to NetApp WAFL operation or RAID operation

  • Support for new NetApp-engineered hardware systems

  • Support for replacement hardware components such as newer network interface cards or host bus adapters

New ONTAP releases are entitled to full support for 3 years. NetApp recommends that you run the newest release for 1 year after general availability (GA) and then use the remaining time within the full support window to plan for your transition to a newer ONTAP release.

ONTAP patch upgrades

Patch upgrades deliver timely fixes for critical bugs that cannot wait for the next major ONTAP feature release. Non-critical patch upgrades should be applied every 3-6 months. Critical patch upgrades should be applied as soon as possible.

Learn more about minimum recommended patch levels for ONTAP releases.

ONTAP release dates

Beginning with the ONTAP 9.8 release, NetApp delivers ONTAP releases twice per calendar year. Though plans are subject to change, the intent is to deliver new ONTAP releases in the second and fourth quarter of each calendar year. Use this information to plan the time frame of your upgrade to take advantage of the latest ONTAP release.

Version Release date

9.16.1

January 2025

9.15.1

July 2024

9.14.1

January 2024

9.13.1

June 2023

9.12.1

February 2023

9.11.1

July 2022

9.10.1

January 2022

9.9.1

June 2021
Note If you are running an ONTAP version prior to 9.10.1, it is likely on Limited Support or Self-Service Support. Consider upgrading to versions with full support. You can verify the level of support for your version of ONTAP on the NetApp Support Site.

ONTAP support levels

The level of support available for a specific version of ONTAP varies depending upon when the software was released.

Support level Full support Limited support Self-service support

Year

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Access to online documentation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Technical support

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Root-cause analysis

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Software downloads

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Service updates (patch releases [P-releases])

Yes

Yes

Yes

Alerts about vulnerabilities

Yes

Yes

Yes
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