Operating System Support
Standards
Objective
This document is to establish a support standard for operating systems and
to show a timeline for operating system implementation and phase out. The
plan uses vendor (Microsoft/Apple) published “Life Cycle” dates
and analyzes the effects on campus services for a particular operating system.
The
Spring 2007 targeted phase out will affect the following:
| Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME |
Mac OS 9.x
Mac OS X (10.2 or lower) |
Audience (stakeholders)
Campus technical support personnel and all campus computer users.
Benefits
- Clearly define operating systems supported on campus
- Guidelines for supporting operating systems
- Process to adopt new operating systems
- Process for phasing out legacy operating systems
- Establish mechanism for phase out planning and dates
Concerns
- Effect on software upgrades
- Support issues for legacy workstations
Timeline
Full utilization by the University is expected during Spring 2007.
Communication
- E-mail announcement to the campus
- Notice to Deans to announce to their colleges
- Posted on the HuskyNet website
- Informational meetings will be held with stakeholders (college techs,
HelpDesk personnel, student workers, etc.)
Future Items
- Incorporation with the Microcomputer Standards document.
- Publish URL to clearly define plan to users on campus
Support Levels
Category |
Description |
Support Level |
Evaluation |
Computing & Technology Services
(ITS)is currently in the process of evaluating this Operating System
for use and support at St. Cloud State University. This will be based
on several factors, including St. Cloud State University's needs, functions
and stability of the O/S. |
Limited Support |
Early Adoption |
This is an implementation phase (pilot)
to allow the campus exposure to the application. |
Limited Support |
Full Adoption and Use |
The O/S has been through ITS evaluation
process and has been approved for use on St. Cloud State University
computers. This is the recommended O/S to be used on campus. |
Full Support |
Phase Out |
The O/S has been replaced by a newer version
or different OS, or the manufacturer is no longer fully supporting
the OS. Recommendations are to upgrade to the newer OS. |
Best Effort Support |
Legacy Support |
This OS may or may not have been replaced
by a newer version or the manufacturer is no longer fully supporting
this OS. Recommendations are to upgrade the newer OS if it is available. |
Best Effort Support |
End of Life Cycle |
No support for this OS is provided. |
No Support |
Definitions
Full Support |
ITS and HelpDesk personnel will perform
installation and troubleshoot technical issues for university-owned
computers via phone, e-mail and hands-on support. Training is available
on campus. |
Limited Support |
ITS and HelpDesk will perform limited installation
and troubleshoot technical issues for university-owned computers via
phone, e-mail and hands-on support. |
Best Effort |
ITS and HelpDesk provide "Best Effort" support,
a one hour limit will be applied when troubleshooting non-supported
operating systems. If ITS and/or HelpDesk determines it cannot resolve
the problem or issue within 1 hour, the support issue may be referred
to another solution method. |
End of Life Date |
This is the date that the software manufacturer
has set to stop supporting the application. Not all companies post
End of Life dates. |
Operating System Matrix
| |
|
Support Stage |
| Operating System |
Version |
Evaluation |
Early Adoption |
Full Adoption |
Phase Out |
Legacy Support |
No
Support |
End of Life Date |
| Windows |
95 |
8/1995 |
|
|
|
|
6/2007 |
12/2000* |
| 98 |
6/1998 |
|
|
|
|
6/2007 |
6/2002* |
| ME |
12/2000 |
|
|
|
|
6/2007 |
12/2003* |
| NT 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
6/2007 |
6/2003* |
| 2000 Pro |
3/2000 |
6/2000 |
9/2000 |
6/2003 |
6/2004 |
7/2008 |
6/2005* |
| XP Pro |
1/2002 |
3/2002 |
9/2002 |
6/2009 |
6/2010 |
12/2011 |
12/2006* |
| Vista |
1/2007 |
6/2007 |
6/2008 |
|
|
|
|
| Macintosh |
8.x |
7/1997 |
|
|
|
|
6/2007 |
None |
| 9.x |
10/1999 |
|
|
|
|
6/2007 |
None |
| 10.0 |
3/2001 |
|
|
|
|
6/2007 |
None |
| 10.1 |
9/2001 |
|
|
|
|
6/2007 |
None |
| 10.2 |
8/2002 |
|
|
|
|
6/2007 |
None |
| 10.3 |
10/2003 |
|
|
6/2007 |
1/2008 |
|
None |
| 10.4 |
4/2005 |
9/2005 |
6/2006 |
6/2008 |
1/2009 |
|
None |
| 10.5 |
3/2007 |
6/2007 |
9/2007 |
|
|
|
None |
* See attached document that outlines Microsoft Support Lifecycle
Product Name |
General Availability |
Date Mainstream
Support Retired |
Extended Support
Retired |
| Windows 95 |
15-Aug-95 |
31-Dec-00 |
31-Dec-01 |
| Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition |
30-Jun-98 |
30-Jun-02 |
Not Applicable See Note 17 |
| Windows 98 Second Edition |
30-Jun-99 |
30-Jun-02 |
Not Applicable See Note 17 |
| Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition |
31-Dec-00 |
31-Dec-03 |
6/30/2006 See Note 17 |
Note 17: Paid incident support is now available through 30-Jun-2006. Extended
hotfix support for Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition ended on 30-Jun-2003.
Extended hotfix support for Windows Millennium ended on 31-Dec-2003. Online
self-help support will continue to be available until at least 30-Jun-2007.
For additional information on the type and length of support provided, review
the Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium Support
Extended Announcement Web site. Critical security updates will be provided
on the Windows Update site through June 30, 2006. Microsoft will not publicly
release non-critical security hotfixes for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second
Edition, or Windows Millennium Edition. However, customers may request a
non-critical security hotfix through On-Demand Security Hotfix support, which
is offered for these products through June 30, 2006. When a request is received,
Microsoft will investigate the issue and try to provide an appropriate response
to the customer.
Mainstream Support: Mainstream support includes all the support options
and programs that customers receive today, such as no-charge incident support,
paid incident support, support that is charged on an hourly basis, support
for warranty claims, and hotfix support. After mainstream support ends, extended
support will be offered for Business and Development software.
Extended Support: Extended support includes all paid support options and
security-related hotfix support that is provided at no charge. Hotfix support
that is not security-related requires a separate extended hotfix support
contract to be purchased within 90 days after mainstream support ends. Microsoft
will not accept requests for warranty support, design changes, or new features
during the extended support phase.
Microsoft Support Lifecycle
Microsoft’s Support Lifecycle
policy provides consistent and predictable guidelines for product support
availability at the time of product release. The Support Lifecycle policy
took effect October 15, 2002 and applies to most products currently available
through retail purchase or volume licensing and most future release products.

Service Packs
Customers can receive support for the current
and immediately preceding(1) service pack. This new support policy permits
customers to receive existing hotfixes, or request new hotfixes for the currently
shipping service pack, the immediately preceding(1) service pack, or both
during the mainstream phase. This new policy takes effect with most products
that are currently available through retail purchase or volume licensing,
and future release products beginning October 15, 2002. Previously released
products will continue to receive support on only the most current service
pack(2). As always, Microsoft strongly advises customers to install the latest
service pack as soon as possible.
- The previous service pack is supported
for up to 12 months after the current service pack releases.
- This includes
all Office suite products earlier than Microsoft Office XP.
What is the Security patch policy?
- Business and Development Software
Security patches will be available
through the end of the Extended Support phase (five years mainstream phase
plus two years extended support phase) at no additional cost for most products.
- Consumer/Hardware/Multimedia
and Business Solutions
Security patches will be available through the end
of the mainstream phase.
Is the term of my software license affected by the Support Lifecycle?
- The Support Lifecycle has no affect on how long a product can be used;
rather the Support Lifecycle outlines how long Microsoft will provide technical
support for products.
Must I have the latest service pack installed to apply a security
or a non-security hotfix?
- A hotfix should always be installed on the service pack it was designed
for. Microsoft Security patches will be created for both the currently
shipping service pack, and the immediately preceding service pack (whenever
commercially viable).
How long will security patches be available?
Microsoft will
provide security patches at no charge for most products, as follows:
- Business and Development Software
Security patches will be available through the end of the extended support
phase (five years mainstream phase + two years extended support phase) to
customers at no additional cost for most products. Customers do not have
to sign up for an extended support contract to receive security fixes during
the extended support phase.
- Consumer/Hardware/Multimedia and Business Solutions
Security patches
will be available through the end of the mainstream phase to customers
at no additional cost for most products.
Reviewed by TLTR
Spring 2006