Platform Releases
A platform release (formerly "feature release") is a collection of new features, enhancements to existing features, and enhancements for product stabilization. Each platform release also contains a cumulative set of hotfixes that were released after the previous platform release version. New platform releases are available every 6 months. Every platform release undergoes full regression testing prior to release.
To keep your CommCell environment up to date, we recommend that you update the platform release every 1 to 2 years.
For information on the platform release lifecycle support policy, see Obsolescence Policy.
The documentation web site is updated whenever a platform release is released. The updates to the documentation web site include revisions, corrections, and new feature documentation.
Note
You are not required to have the latest platform release installed in order to raise or escalate a Ticket Request (TR) with Customer Support. In some cases, Customer Support might request that you install the latest platform release if the platform release contains a fix, or if it helps in the diagnostic process.
Long-Term Support Platform Releases
Beginning SP16, Long-Term Support (LTS) platform releases (formerly "feature releases") are released on a yearly basis. This LTS support includes critical stability bug fixes only, and does not include any new features or other enhancements.
LTS platform releases have a support lifetime of up to three (3) years. New features and other valuable enhancements will continue to be made available at quarterly cadence through the platform releases, and will not be backported to prior LTS releases. All platform releases go through rigorous test cycles and are released only after they meet the high quality expectations of Commvault.
Commvault recommends installing the most recent LTS platform release.
For more information about release schedules, see Platform Release Schedule and Lifecycles.
Maintenance Releases
A maintenance release (formerly "hotfix pack") is a collection of hotfixes that are targeted at resolving specific critical issues that might cause major disruptions to operations.
A new maintenance release is available every month.
To keep your CommCell environment up to date, we recommend that you update the maintenance release every 2 to 3 months.
Early Adopter Program
The Commvault Early Adopter program was created to engage customer feedback on specific features during Technology Preview Release. Commvault works with select customers to discuss, plan, and help deploy the release, and to proactively assist with any issues.
For more information, see Early Adopter Program.