White Papers

Firmware release guidelines
6 Dell EMC SC Series: Software Release, Support Policy, and End-of-Life Matrix | 4688-SC-WP
Maintenance releases are targeted for release approximately every 3-6
months.
Patch release/Hot fix
A patch release or hot fix, many times referred to as a build release,
addresses issues experienced in the environment of a specific customer(s),
and is provided by Dell Tech Support only to the affected customer(s).
Super package release
A super package release is for disk firmware updates and is provided by
Dell Tech Support only to the affected customer(s).
Note: Customers should review maintenance release documentation to determine the priority of taking a
maintenance release for their specific environments and generally update their arrays 1-2 times per year,
within the bounds of their business needs and practices.
A patch release may require individual controller restart after installation, but no downtime in dual-controller
arrays. The patch releases provided to customers to resolve specific issues; are not maintained releases. To
receive ongoing support for a release (i.e. Super package updates), the expectation is that customers will
update to the next maintenance release containing the fix for their issue.
A super package release may require individual controller restart after installation, but no downtime in dual-
controller arrays.
SC Series does not support downgrading of software to an earlier version.
2.1.1 Definition of release lines
A release line refers to all maintenance, patch and super package releases that are associated with the
specific major or minor release.
2.2 Supported firmware releases
Dell EMC reserves the right to provide software maintenance for Replay Manager agents, management
software, operating system, and super package releases on previous releases as Dell EMC determines, in its
sole discretion. Dell EMC is under no obligation to provide any such maintenance.
2.2.1 Storage Center Operating System (SCOS)
The Dell EMC firmware support goal is to provide maintenance support for the two (2) most recent releases.
Super package releases will be provided, if required, for up to two years after the release dateS-4 (GA) or
commercial release. Dell EMC strongly recommends that customers ensure they are running one of the two
supported release lines. During a technical support engagement, Dell EMC technical support may request
that a customer upgrade to one of the two supported release lines to resolve issues a customer may be
experiencing which were fixed in a supported release, or to maintain compatibility with replacement parts.
As an exception, Dell EMC Storage may, in its sole discretion, provide patches for an unsupported release as
conditions warrant.
2.2.2 Dell Storage Manager (DSM)
Dell Storage Manager, formerly known as Enterprise Manager, will provide maintenance support on the
current GA or commercial release and support on the last version in the release string, until the SC Series
array goes EOSS.