Supported FMOS Releases
We constantly update our software to ensure consistent support for the latest versions of firewalls, routers, and other network security enforcement points. We also update our software to offer new functionality, correct defects, and improve security. We recommend customers update to our latest release to get all the benefits of these changes.
Previously, FireMon only provided full support for the two most current releases of FMOS. Now, we will maintain support for Enterprise and Feature release tracks. We will attempt to support customers running unsupported releases, but support will be limited and best effort only. Customers running an unsupported release are encouraged to update to a supported release in order to receive the full support experience. A complete list of supported releases is listed below.
We can provide assistance with updating to a supported release. Customers wanting to receive assistance should contact us at support@firemon.com and specify the release number they are on and the release number they want to update to. A customer support agent will reach out to assist.
Release Process
We have transitioned from our traditional, larger updates, which were delivered on a less frequent schedule, to a more agile model. This means that we will be releasing more frequent, smaller updates. This approach will allow us to respond to your feedback quicker, rapidly implement enhancements, and swiftly address any issues that may arise.
Here are some key benefits of our updated release process:
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Shorter feedback cycle: More iterations enable us to respond promptly to your feedback, ensuring the software evolves according to your needs. More frequent releases mean you can access new features, improvements, and bug fixes quicker than before.
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Predictability: Established timeline for each release.
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Quality: Smaller, more regular updates mean less downtime. This results in a minimized impact on your daily operations.
Please note that these changes will take effect immediately, beginning with our next scheduled software update—the 2023.1.0 Enterprise release. We will provide detailed guidance on managing and applying these updates, ensuring a seamless transition for your team.
FireMon offers four types of releases and two distinct release update tracks.
Release Types
Enterprise Release
An Enterprise release denotes a version marked as our “Gold Standard” release. It contains new or fundamentally revised software components, enabling new functionality or hardware support. It serves as a base for Feature and Maintenance releases.
Feature Release
The Feature release provides continuing feature development within an Enterprise release. Its goal is to publish new features over time. New features, hardware support, and bug fixes are integrated. There are several Feature releases within each Enterprise release, which serves as the starting point for Maintenance releases.
Feature releases are done monthly. They include everything from the most recent Maintenance release and any new features that have been added.
Maintenance Release
A Maintenance release is a release generated from an Enterprise release. It freezes the software functionality and behavior of the enterprise release at a certain point in time and maintains it. Its key goal is to provide software stability. Bugs are fixed, but no new features are added, and the behavior changes are limited to the minimum necessary to fix bugs. Backward compatibility is maintained.
Maintenance releases are done monthly and include individual fixes that have been tested together and released as one big patch. It is a software release that corrects a security flaw or minor bug without altering core components or adding new features.
Patch Release
Patch releases get released on an as-needed basis to fix critical bugs. This only includes bugs that create a security vulnerability or system failure issue.
Release Tracks
Enterprise Update Release
The Enterprise Update Release Track is for customers that want stability - ingesting new content annually but keeping up with monthly maintenance updates and patches.
It will include:
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All content from the previous enterprise release.
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Any new feature content developed since the previous enterprise release (all feature releases from the previous year).
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All maintenance and patch release content developed since the previous enterprise release (all maintenance and patch releases from the previous year).
Feature Update Release
The Feature Update Release Track is for customers interested in staying current on the newest features and keeping up with monthly maintenance updates and patches.
It will include:
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All content from the latest enterprise release (current year).
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All content from previous feature releases.
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Any new feature content developed since the previous feature release.
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All maintenance and patch release content developed since the previous feature release.
Release Process Overview Diagram
Customers will be able to follow one of two tracks for updating:
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Enterprise Update Release (with only monthly maintenance releases) prioritizes stability.
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Feature Update Releases (with monthly maintenance and new content each release) prioritize new features.
Release Naming Convention Details
We will shift away from the current release naming convention starting after 9.13.0. The new naming convention will be a 4-digit number followed by a one or 2-digit incremental number.
Examples
Enterprise Releases
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The initial enterprise release is 2023.1
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The second enterprise release next year will be 2024.1
Maintenance Releases
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The first maintenance release for 2023.1, will be 2023.1.1
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The second maintenance release for the same enterprise release will be 2023.1.2, and so on for each future monthly maintenance release
Feature Releases
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The first feature release will be based on the enterprise release 2023.1, so the name will be 2023.2
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The second feature release will be named 2023.3, and so on for each monthly feature release
Patch Releases
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The patch release for enterprise maintenance release 2023.1.1 will be 2023.1.2, and so on for each patch release
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The patch release for feature release 2023.2 will be 2023.2.1, and so on for each patch release
Supported Releases
This new release process will also impact and change our supported releases.
Previously, FireMon only provided full support for the two most current releases of FMOS. Now, we will maintain support for Enterprise and Feature release tracks for 2 years after initial release date.
For example
The Enterprise and Feature releases will receive support for a duration of two years from the initial release date, encompassing the 12-month period of active development and an additional 12 months dedicated to security updates. As an illustration, the release of version 2023.1.0 transpired on August 1, 2023, and our commitment extends to active development support until August 1, 2024, followed by exclusive provision of security patches until August 1, 2025.
To obtain fixes, you are encouraged to update to the corresponding 2023.1.x maintenance release. This principle also applies to customers following the Feature release track. For instance, if you are currently on release 2023.4, the recommended course of action is to update to the latest available release, such as 2023.7, to ensure continued access to support updates.
We will continue to attempt to support customers running unsupported releases, but it will be limited and best effort. Customers running an unsupported release are encouraged to update to the Enterprise or Feature release update track to receive the full support experience.
Updating Paths
Updating to specific releases using the fmos update command requires an intermediate update. For an intermediate update, you must contact FireMon Support.
The table below lists the update path to get to (2023.1.5 / 2023.5.0) and later.
| Current Release | Update Path |
|---|---|
| 9.0.0 - 9.10.7 | Intermediate update to 2023.1.0 (or up to 2023.1.4) required |
| 9.12.0 - 9.12.4 | Intermediate update to 2023.1.0 (or up to 2023.1.4) required |
| 9.13.0 - 9.13.2 | Intermediate update to 2023.1.0 (or up to 2023.1.4) required |
| 9.10.9 | Can update directly to 2023.1.5 / 2023.5.0 and later |
| 9.12.6 | Can update directly to 2023.1.5 / 2023.5.0 and later |
| 9.13.3 | Can update directly to 2023.1.5 / 2023.5.0 and later |
| 2023.1.0 | Can update directly to 2023.1.5 / 2023.5.0 and later |
Once the Feature release track is chosen, you must stick with it until the next Enterprise release. For example, if you chose the 2023.2 Feature release, you cannot switch to the Enterprise release track until the 2024 Enterprise release.
However, if the Enterprise release track is chosen, you can switch to the Feature release as long as it is a newer Feature release. For example, you can update from Enterprise 2023.1.7 to Feature 2023. 8.