Lifecycle policies

Planning reliability throughout the entire product lifecycle

Secure network infrastructures require long-term reliability – from strategic planning and commissioning to migration. With transparent lifecycle policies and regular security and software updates, Rohde & Schwarz Networks and Cybersecurity helps organizations operate devices securely, compliantly, and cost-effectively. Complementary support services provide the operational reliability required for business-critical networks. These lifecycle policies apply to the R&S®LANCOM and LANCOM product portfolios.

Notice on the company name: Since July 1, 2026, LANCOM Systems has been named Rohde & Schwarz Networks and Cybersecurity. Product information and communication materials are accordingly issued under the new company name. The previous product designation is provided as supplementary information to support clear findability and identification of the products. Product identity, functionality, and compatibility remain unchanged.

Products that have an “End of Sale” or “End of Life” status since July 1, 2026, are not affected by the name changes.

Lifecycle policies

What does the lifecycle of your product look like in practice? How long will a product be supported? When do updates end? Find answers to these and many other questions here:

Product status

Active, End of Sale, or already End of Life? Access the complete lifecycle database directly, including all updates, key dates, successor products, and software versions.

Firmware status

See which software updates are available for your devices and whether your operating system version of LCOS, LCOS FX, LCOS SX, or LCOS LX is still being maintained.

Support changes since July 1, 2026

Since July 1, 2026, manufacturer support for devices is no longer automatically included with partner status. Partners can add support services for new R&S®LANCOM devices through R&S®NC Support Access (formerly LANcare Access) or R&S®NC Support Direct (formerly LANcare Direct) and manage them independently through the new registration portal.

For LANCOM devices already purchased, manufacturer support for partners remains available during a two-year transition period. Framework agreements that include support services, as well as support contracts (formerly LANcare Premium), remain valid without changes.

Learn more about support changes

Infographic on Lifecycle Management of R&S Networks and Cybersecurity
These include SD-WAN gateways, Wi-Fi devices (access points and WLAN controllers), and switches.

Product lifecycle at a glance

 

Active

EOS

EOS+2

EOL

Status changes

as of launch / activation

as of End of Sale

2 years after EOS

5 years after EOS = End of Life

Availability /

purchase

Firewalls: no license renewal

Software maintenance¹

Fully active

Active

Limited

Inactive

Major releases

Firewalls only

Security updates

Only with R&S®NC Support / Replacement

(formerly LANcare) or warranty²

Release candidates

Manufacturer support³

Only with R&S®NC Support

Access / Direct

Only with R&S®NC Support

Access / Direct

Only with R&S®NC Support

Access / Direct

Recommended action

No action required

Plan a successor product

Prepare migration

Replace device

¹ For firewalls only: an active license is required, separate EOS and EOL dates apply to hardware and licenses, the table shows the lifecycle of active licenses.
Further details can be found in the infopaper lifecycle policies.

² All LANCOM devices and R&S®LANCOM devices come with a manufacturer’s warranty of at least 3 years. During this period, a replacement service (Return & Replace) and security updates are included regardless of the lifecycle status. For all managed switches, this coverage is extended to 5 years. Enterprise switches with a Limited Lifetime Warranty (LLW) are even covered for up to 10 years (until EOL). Further details can be found in the infopaper LLW.

³ For devices purchased before July 1, 2026, technical manufacturer support for R&S®NC Community partners (formerly LANcommunity partners) is included until the device reaches EOL status or until June 30, 2028, whichever comes first. Learn more

Consistent additions to your security strategy

Comprehensive protection with R&S®NC Support (formerly LANcare)

Complete your network infrastructure with guaranteed access to all available security updates – either for fixed contract terms or throughout the entire operational lifetime of your devices. This allows you to maintain long-term security and planning reliability without having to invest prematurely in new hardware for security reasons.

With direct access to our support team, defined response times, binding SLAs, and advance hardware replacement, you can be sure to find the support option that best meets your requirements – all managed centrally and transparently through the new registration portal. Further details can be found in the information on manufacturer support for partners.

Learn more about our support products

Proactive lifecycle monitoring in the cloud

Keep track of device lifecycles centrally with the R&S®LANCOM Management Cloud (R&S®LMC). An integrated early warning system informs you by email 12 months before upcoming End of Life dates, while devices approaching EOL within three months are clearly highlighted – allowing timely and predictable modernization planning. 

All lifecycle data is also available through a flexibly integrated dashboard widget, providing a clear advantage for efficient and scalable cloud management. These and other new features can be found in the R&S®LMC-News or directly here:

Learn more about the R&S®LMC

Glossary

Versioning scheme and development stages

Our operating systems LCOS, LCOS FX, LCOS LX, and LCOS SX are continuously enhanced. The following overview explains the structure of software version names, the differences between major and minor versions, and the release and maintenance status of firmware versions.

Release candidate (RC)

A release candidate has undergone extensive testing and includes new operating system features. It serves as a practical field test under real-world conditions and is therefore not intended for use in production environments.

Release version (REL)

The release version (major release) has been fully tested and proven in real-world operation. It includes new features and functional optimizations and is expressly recommended for production environments.

Release update (RU)

A release update (minor release) further develops an existing release version. It includes security fixes, bug fixes, and smaller functional enhancements and improvements to ensure stable operation in production environments.

Security update (SU)

A security update contains security-related fixes for an existing operating system version and ensures continued protection of your production environment at a current security level.

Individual Consultation

Ensure the reliable protection of your R&S®LANCOM devices right from the start. Our sales team is happy to assist you in selecting the optimal services tailored to your specific network requirements. If you have any questions or requests, feel free to reach out via contact form or by phone: +49 (0)2405 49936 122 (International).

Important note: Please note that this channel does not handle support requests. For technical support, please contact your designated support contact directly.

Furhter links & downloads

These and other publications – such as LCOS manuals, release notes, installation guides, and feature comparisons – can be found here at a glance:

Would you like to learn more about our services and support offerings? From immediate assistance to long-term protection, you will find the right point of contact here: