topic Usage of new ontap software without ONTAP OS support in ONTAP Discussions

Usage of new ontap software without ONTAP OS support

AlexKost — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 09:39:23 GMT

Hi!
Does anyone have experience with the legal use of new ONTAP P-releases and the usage of new ONTAP versions with expired ONTAP software support?

As far as i know, the usage of ontap major release allowed, if the major release was published within the ONTAP software support? Is this also allowed for Patch releases?
For example: a system is running 9.8.x and we want to update to the newest 9.12.x or 9.13.x.

Thanks.

Re: Usage of new ontap software without ONTAP OS support

SpindleNinja — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 14:33:05 GMT

Not sure I follow the actual question, can you clarify a bit more please?

Do you have support on the system?
what's the Max version of ontap a system supports - You can check here - hwu.netapp.com

So as an example. if you have a FAS2552 running 9.8Px and you want to go to 9.12 you cannot, because the 2552 doesn't support anything higher than 9.8 and it's an out of support model (as of 01/2023).

Re: Usage of new ontap software without ONTAP OS support

AlexKost — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 06:16:00 GMT

Hi,

as i described before, without Ontap OS Support (expired, only HW Support with a partner) but the model (A300) supports the newer ontap version. Yes, i know it's a risk without Ontap support.
So technically it's all fine but is it fine with legal terms to download and use newer Ontap major versions with new patches?

In the EULA i can't find anything related to this.

Re: Usage of new ontap software without ONTAP OS support

AlexDawson — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 08:13:31 GMT

You're not permitted to download ONTAP if you don't have a support contract for a system, and you're not permitted to provide your downloaded ONTAP image to any third party.

So, if you have support and can download it yourself, you can use it.

If not, another person can't legally provide it to you.

Re: Usage of new ontap software without ONTAP OS support

AlexKost — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 08:27:42 GMT

Hi Alex,
so it's not allowed to download or update ONTAP without support contract for a netapp system?
Also if there are multiple systems and active support contracts for other netapp systems?

Thanks in advance.

Re: Usage of new ontap software without ONTAP OS support

AlexDawson — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 09:21:16 GMT

Correct - when you pay a support renewal, it is usually two line items - a hardware and a software component.

Software support is the component that enables and entitles you to download new ONTAP software. If that isn't paid (as part of the support contract), it isn't entitled for that system.

Your other systems may be entitled, enabling you to download it, but that doesn't legally mean you can download it for installation on a non-entitled system.

Re: Usage of new ontap software without ONTAP OS support

AlexKost — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 10:01:07 GMT

Hi Alex, i got it.

no software support = no legal download or use of new ONTAP software or new patches of older releases (e.g. 9.10.x) which are running on the systems.

Re: Usage of new ontap software without ONTAP OS support

SpindleNinja — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 13:50:36 GMT

Correct.

I would consider working with your account team to get some low cost renewal for that system.