Citrix Hypervisor 8.2 Cumulative Update 1 is going End of Life
Attention! Citrix Hypervisor 8.2 Cumulative Update 1 (CU1) is going End of Life on June 25th, 2025
Citrix Xenserver is a server virtualization platform based upon the open-source Xen hypervisor. It allows IT departments to host virtual machines across a pool of hardware, Citrix Xenserver has been continually developed and upgraded since its initial release becoming widely used in the virtualization arena. The present incarnation, Citrix Hypervisor 8.2, was first introduced in 2020 but it has now reached the end of its life cycle and has been replaced by the new, rebranded, Xenserver 8.
Risks of not updating:
Continuing to use Hypervisor 8.2 Cumulative Update 1 (CU1) beyond its end-of-life date comes with several risks:
- Support Challenges: As of June 25th, technical support for Hypervisor 8.2 Cumulative Update 1 (CU1) will be significantly reduced, potentially resulting in extended downtimes and operational disruptions if issues should arise.
- Security Vulnerabilities: The absence of regular updates leaves systems unprotected against newly identified security threats, increasing the risk of breaches.
- Compliance Issues: Industries working within stringent data protection regulations may face non-compliance penalties when relying on outdated and unsupported software.
- Operational Inefficiencies: Upgrading to newer versions of Citrix Hypervisor unlocks performance improvements and advanced features. Without these updates, organisations may fall behind in competitiveness and operational efficiency.
Why Update?
Alongside ensuring support and security updates, XenServer 8 introduces new functionality such as:
- Support for Windows 11 and vTPM.
- Integrated PVS Accelerator.
- Added support for Nagios and SNMP.
- An updated Xen Conversion Manager.
- Providing support for Windows 11 and virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM).
- Support for Windows 2025.
Several new features have also been introduced, including a streamlined process for transferring PVS images from VMware to XenServer, Terraform integration, anti-affinity functionality and the addition of a Citrix-aware XenCenter, these are all included in XenServer 8!
One of the most important new changes is the live patching feature to ensure minimal disruption during maintenance. The new updated Conversion Manager now helps to streamline migrations more efficiently.
These improvements help increase efficiency and provide a future-proof solution for your virtualization needs.
Prepare for the Upgrade
XenServer remains built on the same kernel as Citrix Hypervisor 8.2, ensuring a smooth and straightforward transition. Additionally, all hardware supported by Citrix Hypervisor 8.2 is fully compatible with XenServer 8, making the upgrade both essential and highly practical. Existing virtual machines (VMs) running on Citrix Hypervisor 8.2 will seamlessly operate on XenServer 8. However, it is advised to regularly install and update XenServer tools for optimal performance.
Upgrading to XenServer 8 is now licensed on a per-socket basis. Ensure your licenses are properly configured before initiating the upgrade process.
What to look forward to?
Transitioning to XenServer 8 unlocks new possibilities but also comes with its own set of challenges. Citrix offers a detailed guide to assist users with the upgrade process. However, successfully navigating this transition requires time, expertise, and in-depth product knowledge.
As a Citrix Platinum Partner, Enterprise Solutions‘ team of Citrix engineers is ready to support your organization at every stage of the upgrade journey. Our dedicated team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way. From managing licenses to planning and executing migrations, we provide tailored advice and hands-on assistance to ensure your infrastructure is future-ready.
Contact our experts today – asktheexpert@enterprise-solutions.ie
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