Informix

Informix

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  • 1.  IBM is ending support for Informix?

    Posted Wed January 15, 2025 01:58 PM

    I'm hoping for any clarification that the group can provide for the link shown below (does this mean what it seems to mean?):

    Continuing Support for IBM Informix ends on 30 April 2025

    In the quote below I have highlighted certain words with a bold font:

    "...IBM is announcing the withdrawal of the Continuing Support program for all Informix product versions including, but not limited to, IDS, CSDK, JDBC, and 4GL effective 30 April 2025. Continuing Support only provided limited non-defect support for known issues beyond the End of Support (EOS) date and now it is being replaced by IBM Extended Support for a fee after a version reaches its EOS date. Extended Support is provided for up to 4 years, including defect fixes within the first year following the EOS date."
    "IBM Extended Support can add four years of support for versions or releases past the EOS date to enable a customer to complete a migration or upgrade."



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    John Dargan
    Database Administrator III
    LAURA E. ROTH, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Volusia County, Florida

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  • 2.  RE: IBM is ending support for Informix?

    Posted Wed January 15, 2025 02:20 PM

    Hi John,

    No, it probably isn't what you think it means, depending on what you think it means!

    Support for Informix is NOT going away.

    This has to do with their "Continuing Support", which is the extra support for folks who need support beyond the normal end-of-support date - like if you are using maybe 11.70 or earlier and are paying extra to have it supported.  If you need that you will now need to subscribe to what they now call "Extended Support".

    No end of support date for Informix 12 has been announced yet - it is still supported, and will be beyond April 2025.  Informix 14 is obviously still supported and will be for a long while yet.

    While the email is accurate, it did cause some confusion when it first went out, and we have had this same question from a number of our customers.

    Mike



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    Mike Walker
    xDB Systems, Inc
    www.xdbsystems.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: IBM is ending support for Informix?

    Posted Thu January 16, 2025 03:13 AM

    Hi John,

    this article is confusing. I've already had queries from our customers about it.

    It would be good if Carlton Doe and Shri as IBM Informix&Db2 PM could clarify this again.

    Regards

    Henri



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    Henri Cujass
    leolo IT, CTO
    Germany
    IBM Champion
    henri.cujass@leolo.com
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: IBM is ending support for Informix?

    Posted Wed February 19, 2025 07:55 PM

    Hi John and all, I want to take this opportunity to clarify the situation and reassure our users that IBM is not ending support for IBM Informix. Instead, what is ending on 30 April 2025 is a specific support tier called as Continuing Support. 

    The Continuing Support tier provided limited, best-effort assistance for versions of IBM Informix products, including Informix Database Server (IDS), CSDK, JDBC, and 4GL, that had reached their End of Support (EOS) date. This support allowed customers to get help with non-defect issues, but it did not include full defect fixes, security patches or new features. This tier was offered to provide some level of support while customers planned their upgrade path. As of April 30, 2025, IBM will officially retire the Continuing Support tier for all IBM Informix products, including IDS, CSDK, JDBC, and 4GL. We are making this change to provide a clearer, more sustainable support structure moving forward.

    IBM will continue to provide support for product versions of IBM Informix that have reached their End of Support (EOS) date through the new IBM Extended Support program. The IBM Extended Support program, available for an additional fee, offers the following benefits: 

    • Defect Fixes & Security Patches: For the first year after a version's EOS date, IBM will provide defect fixes, security updates, and critical defect fixes. After this year, support will continue but will focus on "how to" questions and usage issues. 

    • Upgrade Assistance: To help customers transition to a supported version, IBM offers several upgrade options and services. 

    Hope this helps. 

    Best,

    Shri



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    Shripad Sonavnay
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    Original Message