IBM对WAS 8.5.5、9.0.5提供技术支持至少持续到2030年

英文版本，大家自己翻：）

Today, IBM announced 220-128 that it will provide standard support for WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5.5 and 9.0.5 through at least 2030. Nearly all WebSphere clients are exploring, or have embarked upon, a digital transformation journey. This transformation includes building new cloud native applications as well as modernizing their existing IT assets. The 2030 support announcement supports clients in this journey by giving them the time to explore, plan and execute their transformation on their own schedule.

Laid out below are a set of commonly asked questions related to the WebSphere 2030 support statement.

WAS 8.5.5 and 9.0.5 support until at least 2030

Q. Why support WAS until at least 2030?
A. Many of our clients are currently evaluating cloud native technologies and application modernization as part their digital transformation. In order to give our clients enough time to fully explore, plan and execute their digital transformation, IBM will provide standard support for traditional WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5.5 and 9.0.5, on IBM JDK 8, through at least 2030. This support means:

• More time to modernize. Modernization efforts take time, and is driven alongside competing business priorities. This support gives teams the time and space they need to balance these priorities.
• More time to run existing workloads. Some applications will not be modernized, and will meet their natural end of life where they are. The 2030 support roadmap gives applications which will be sunset on WAS ND at least a decade of longevity.
• No need to move off 8.5.5 to get support. The 2030 support roadmap applies to both WAS v8.5.5 and v9.0.5, running on IBM JDK 8.
• Time to explore & invest in Cloud Native apps and platform. The 2030 support roadmap gives clients time to explore their Cloud journey, and to have strategic conversations about modernization and movement to cloud.

Q. So can I just stay on Java 8 forever?
A. No. IBM is offering support for WAS 8.5.5 and WAS 9.0.5 until at least 2030 in order to support existing applications which will either (a) take a long time to modernize, (b) be replaced (and therefore never be modernized), or (c) continue to run where they are until no longer needed. Support for another 10 years helps these legacy/stabilized applications. Remaining on Java 8 is not a strategic solution for applications which are being actively developed, enhanced and maintained. For those applications, IBM strongly recommends moving to Liberty and to make plans to adopt Java 11.

Q. What editions of WebSphere are included in the 2030 support announcement?
A. All editions of traditional WebSphere Application Server version 8.5.5 and version 9.0.5, running with IBM JDK 8, will be supported until at least 2030. As previously announced 219-258, WebSphere Application Server v8.5.5 support for Java SE 7 will end on July 31, 2022. If you are running traditional WebSphere Application Server v8.5.5 with Java SE 7, you must migrate to Java SE 8 to continue to receive support beyond July 31, 2022.

Q. Does this support statement include Liberty’s support of Java 8?
A. Not exactly. Java 8 remains supported for Liberty, but WebSphere Liberty maintains Java SE support versions independent of traditional WebSphere Application Server. WebSphere Liberty runtime will support Java SE versions as long as the AdoptOpenJDK open source project continues to provide builds of that supported runtime. This may result in Java SE 8 support ending sooner for WebSphere Liberty runtime than traditional WebSphere Application Server.

Q. How will support until 2030 work?
A. IBM will provide standard support for both WAS 8.5.5 and WAS 9.0.5, running on top of IBM JDK 8, until at least 2030, as it does today. This means IBM will continue to provide regular fix packs, as well as interim fixes (iFixes), in accordance with the traditional WAS life cycle policy. A few details, such as the fix pack release cadence and dates, might change.

Q. Are there any exceptions to the 2030 support statement?
A. Yes. The announcement covers the details, but here are some of the most important ones:

• Solaris and HP-UX are excluded from the 2030 support statement. Support for both Solaris and HP-UX will end September 2022, with extended support being available until September 2025.
• Not all supporting programs can be supported until 2030. Supporting programs are the IBM programs, products and components listed in the WebSphere Application Server license which are included in your entitlement. Some supporting programs, like IBM Cloud Private, will be removed. Other supporting programs, like IBM Tivoli Directory Server (now known as IBM Security Directory Server), will be updated with later versions. IBM intends to support as many supporting programs as possible until 2030, but individual product life cycles and technology requirements may limit which programs can be supported for that long. IBM will document the currently supported versions of supporting programs in the IBM Software Compatibility Reports.
• The intent is to support newer versions of operating systems. With the exception of Solaris and HP-UX, current operating systems will be supported until their vendor’s end of support date, and IBM intends to support future versions of those operating systems.

Q. What about IHS and ODR, will those be supported until 2030?
A. IBM intends to support the use of IHS, Intelligent Management for WebServers (ODRLIB) and the Java On-Demand Router (ODR) with both WAS versions 8.5.5 and 9.0.5 for the life of traditional WAS. The Java ODR will remain a supported component of WAS ND. In the case of IHS, we will update the WAS 8.5.5 license to additionally include IHS 9.0 as a supporting program. This combination is already a supported configuration. Customers are encouraged to replace their use of IHS 8.5.5 with IHS 9.0 over time. Service for IHS 8.5.5 will continue at least until 2023, but only IHS 9.0 will be receiving enhancements including Operating System currency and security improvements such as new TLS functionality.

Q. Why make this announcement now?
A. For the last few years, IBM has been working with clients to understand their application modernization goals and needs. Many of our clients are on a path of modernization, and we understand that modernization takes time. Additionally, some new applications are being actively built on traditional WAS today, and some of those applications have a natural 8 to 10 year life expectancy. The 2030 support roadmap gives clients a long runway to modernize, and to run applications to their natural end of life.

Q. Why support both versions for such a long time?
A. Both versions 8.5.5 and 9.0.5 are in heavy use by our clients. Unless clients have a need for Java EE 7, a migration from WAS v8.5.5 to v9.0.5 does not always deliver new value. For clients which are happy to remain on WAS v8.5.5, IBM would prefer clients expend any migration and modernization effort looking at building cloud native applications and modernizing existing workloads to containers, rather than moving laterally if there is no value. The 2030 support roadmap gives clients running either version of WebSphere the same support period.

Q. Will WAS 8.5.5 and WAS 9.0.5 remain secure?
A. IBM will continue to deliver regular fix pack updates which include the latest security fixes, as well as to continue its policy of proactive iFixes. IBM also intends to evaluate and deliver security enhancements, such as TLS 1.3, in order to support the latest security protocols.

Q. Do I need to migrate from v8.5.5 to v9.0.5?
A. No. In order to support clients existing environments, IBM will keep both WAS v8.5.5 and v9.0.5 patched with the latest security fixes. IBM wants clients to focus on cloud native applications and modernizing existing applications. There is no need to migrate existing WAS v8.5.5 environments to vWAS 9.0.5 to receive the latest security fixes or support until at least 2030.

Q. Is Java 7 with WAS 8.5.5 included in this announcement?
A. No. As previously announced 219-258, WebSphere Application Server v8.5.5 support for Java SE 7 will end on July 31, 2022.

Q. What Operating Systems will be supported?
A. IBM will support the currently supported operating systems and intends to support their future versions, in accordance with IBM support policies. Two operating systems are excluded from the 2030 support statement: Solaris and HP-UX. Support for both Solaris and HP-UX will end in September 2022, with extended support for both Solaris and HP-UX will be available until September 2025.

Q. Is this announcement related to Oracle’s new Java 8 extended support dates?
A. Not directly. IBM has been exploring our clients' need to support WAS beyond the original Java 8 end of life date of March 2025 for a while, and the decision to support WAS until at least 2030 pre-dates Oracle’s new December 2030 date for extended support of Java 8. The shift in Oracle’s support dates is a recognition of the complexity and difficulty that adopting Java 11 brings for legacy applications. Oracle’s extension of their support of Java 8 delivers similar value to their clients as the WAS support does for IBM clients.

Q. Will you support these versions of traditional WebSphere beyond 2030?
A. A decade is a very long time, especially a decade of support. However, IBM has not made a final decision on the end of support date for WAS v8.5.5 or WAS v9.0.5. That end of support decision will be based on client needs, IBM business needs, and technical viability of supporting these versions longer.

WebSphere support of Java 11

Q. I want to use features in Java 11, what are my options?
A. IBM recommends Open Liberty and OpenJDK 11 with OpenJ9 for applications which will exploit Java 11 features. You can get started for free with the Open Liberty runtime (https://openliberty.io/))and OpenJDK 11 with OpenJ9 (https://adoptopenjdk.net/)) from the open source projects and purchase commercial support as needed.

Q. I want to run my existing application on Java 11, what does that mean for my app?
A. No matter which application server you are using (traditional WebSphere, WebLogic, JBoss, etc) there is a chance your application may not work right away with Java SE 11. This is especially true if your application is older and uses packages which are now hidden or removed from Java 11. In short, there is a risk your application will break when you migrate to Java 11. Migrating Java applications beyond Java 8 will most likely require a careful, and potentially challenging migration, irrespective of the application server you plan to use. IBM provides excellent migration tools, such as the WebSphere Migration Toolkit, the Binary Scanner, and IBM Cloud Transformation Advisor, to assist you in evaluating your application’s readiness for Java 11 and to assist you in running the application on Liberty.

Q. Will there be an IBM Java 11?
A. IBM does not intend to provide an IBM branded distribution of Java 11 for any platform other than System Z. IBM is focused on supporting the open source Java community and the Adopt OpenJDK community (https://adoptopenjdk.net/). IBM recommends using Open Liberty with OpenJDK 11 with Eclipse OpenJ9.

Q. I am modernizing my applications, what application server should I use?
A. IBM recommends using Open Liberty and OpenJDK with OpenJ9 for modernization projects. IBM provides migration tools, such as the WebSphere Migration Toolkit, the Binary Scanner, and IBM Cloud Transformation Advisor, which help you to migrate applications to Liberty. Liberty is the recommended runtime because Liberty is fast, small, modular, making it the ideal runtime for containers. Liberty easily integrates with CI/CD and DevOps pipelines, and the rapid 4-week release cadence of Liberty supports continuous security by providing the latest security patches and performance enhancements.

Q. Does this mean you are no longer investing in traditional WAS?
A. Not at all. Traditional WAS is used by thousands of clients for mission critical applications and remains a key part of the IBM software portfolio. Investing in the next Java version is only part of the overall story. IBM invests in Liberty for innovation - new programming models such as Jakarta EE and MicroProfile, as well as the latest Java versions. IBM invests in traditional WAS for application stability, security and integration with cloud native and microservice applications.

原文来源
https://community.ibm.com/community/user/imwuc/blogs/michael-thompson/2020/03/24/was-2030-faq