Novell Support Lifecycle

Introduction and Overview

Novell's Product Support Lifecycle provides consistent and predictable support availability guidelines, allowing you to effectively plan and manage your support needs. This lifecycle model took effect on 3 August 2005 and applies to most products currently available on Novell's price list. To verify the lifecycle dates for a specific product, search in the "support status by product" tool on the right column of this page.

Platform & Operating System Products

Novell will provide a minimum of five years General Support for platform and operating system products, including its revisions, starting with the date of a product's general availability. When General Support ends, Novell will offer extended support for a minimum of two years

Platform and Operating System products include NetWare, Novell Small Business Suite, Novell Linux Desktop, Novell Linux Point of Service, SUSE™ LINUX Enterprise Server and Open Enterprise Server (OES). To verify whether a specific product is treated as a Platform and Operating System product with respect to this lifecycle policy, search in the "support status by product" tool on the right column of this page.

Software Services & Application Products

Novell will provide a minimum of three years General Support for a software service and application product, including its revisions, starting with the date of the product's general availability. When General Support ends, Novell will offer Extended Support for a minimum of two years.

Software Services and Application products include GroupWise, ZENworks, NetMail, BorderManager, Nsure Identity Manager and drivers, DirXML and drivers, iChain, eDirectory, iFolder, Novell Account Management, Secure Access Suite, Volera, Novell Client and exteNd products. To verify whether a specific product is treated as a Software Services or Application product with respect to this lifecycle policy, search in the "support status by product" tool on the right column of this page.

Self-support options will be available for all Novell products for a minimum of ten years from the products' general availability.

Self-support includes free and fee-based resources:

Bundled and third-party products:

  • For each Novell product included in a formal Novell suite (see our general price list), the general policy is that the product is supported based on the lifecycle of the suite or bundle. For certain suites or bundles, Novell may identify that individual components have their own lifecycle. Please be sure to search in the "support status by product" tool on the right column of this page.

  • Third-party products are not covered by the Novell Support Lifecycle Policy and will follow the support policies set by the product's manufacturer.

Lifecycle Details

General Support

Extended Support

Additional Information