OS/2 Withdrawal from Marketing and Change in Support

Introduction

For several years IBM has published an OS/2 Strategy. It stated IBM's intention to reduce OS/2 support and made the recommendation that customers implement a phased transition from client-and-server environments to the WebSphere software platform. Consistent with that direction, OS/2 Warp V4 and OS/2 Warp Server for e-business have been withdrawn from marketing and the product CDs will not be available effective December 23, 2005. End of Standard Support for both products is December 31, 2006. This was announced on July 12, 2005.

Support beyond December 31, 2006, is available for a fee through Service Extensions or Total Content Ownership contracts.

New Defect Support

IBM will provide new defect support (product-specific, task oriented software and hardware assistance) for OS/2 Warp 4 Convenience Packages and for Warp Server for e-business Convenience Packages through December 31, 2006 for Passport Advantage customers with active Software Maintenance. Customers should install the latest fix pack or service refresh to stay current for new defect support. Customers must maintain active Software Maintenance to obtain fix packs or service refreshes.

On December 31, 2004 IBM withdrew new defect support for Java 1.1.8 and Netscape 4.61 for other than install by IBM components. Java 1.1.8 has been superseded by Java 1.3.1. Netscape 4.61 has been superseded by the IBM Web Browser for OS/2. Customers should install the latest service refreshes of Java 1.3.1 and IBM Web Browser for OS/2 to stay current for new defect support.

The OS/2 Warp support page has more detailed support information.

OS/2 Plans

There are no plans for new versions/releases or new function for any of the OS/2 Warp V4 or Warp Server for e-business products or components (including Java and the IBM Web Browser).

There are no plans for any new fix packs or component refreshes. The currently available OS/2 fix packs will remain on the OS/2 support website through December 31, 2006.

Existing OS/2 customers

On an exception basis, existing OS/2 customers can request to purchase additional OS/2 licenses, renew software maintenance, or reinstate software maintenance through Passport Advantage after December 23, 2005. IBM will review each request and notify the customer if it is approved.

Contact your IBM representative to submit an order request.

Support for New Hardware and New Device Drivers

Very limited support for new IBM hardware systems will be available through December 31, 2005. After that date, IBM will not provide OS/2 support for operation on any new IBM hardware systems.

IBM will continue to offer fee services for compatibility testing of new hardware systems to OEMs through December 31, 2005.

Very few new device drivers are planned for delivery prior to December 31, 2005. After that date, IBM will not provide any new device drivers. The currently available device drivers will remain on the web site through December 31, 2006.

Customers are encouraged to work with IBM sales to make sufficient hardware purchases during 2005 to satisfy anticipated OS/2 needs.

Support for IBM Middleware

Almost all existing IBM middleware products that run on OS/2 have been withdrawn from marketing and have reached their end of support dates. New defect support via special bid support offerings for some IBM middleware products will continue to be available from IBM Global Services (IGS) Integrated Technology Services (ITS) until December 31, 2006.

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs)

ISVs are responsible for any claims of compatibility with specific versions of OS/2 and for service and support for their products.

For customers with active Passport Advantage contracts for Warp 4 and/or Warp Server for e-business, IBM plans to work with third party ISVs to address customer reported problems with ISV products. IBM posts the ISV names and products on the OS/2 ISV Web site.

Migration recommendations and assistance are available.

Questions and requests for additional information should be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Source: IBM Corp.

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