If you’re operating Apache Cassandra, one of the leading distributed NoSQL databases, understanding the end-of-support schedule for each version is crucial for maintaining a secure and stable production environment. With the release of Cassandra 5.0 in September 2024 and the official end-of-life for the 3.x series, many organizations are now reviewing their upgrade strategies. This comprehensive guide covers the detailed EOS/EOL schedule for all Apache Cassandra versions and extended support policies from major cloud providers.
1. Understanding Apache Cassandra Support Policy Fundamentals
Apache Cassandra follows a policy of supporting the latest three releases simultaneously. This is relatively generous compared to other open-source projects and is designed to accommodate stable operations in enterprise environments.
Core Support Policy Principles
- Compatibility Maintenance: Ensures compatibility between adjacent major versions
- Zero-Downtime Upgrades: Supports online upgrades from one major version to the next
- Patch Releases: Regular patch releases for security vulnerabilities and critical bug fixes
2. Currently Supported Cassandra Versions
As of September 2024, the officially supported Apache Cassandra versions are:
Major Version | Release Date | Support Status | Latest Patch Version | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|---|
5.0.x | September 5, 2024 | ✅ Currently Supported | 5.0.1 | Vector Search, SAI, Trie SSTables, JDK 17 |
4.1.x | July 13, 2022 | ✅ Currently Supported | 4.1.9 | Management simplification, enhanced security, new encryption |
4.0.x | July 26, 2021 | ✅ Currently Supported | 4.0.18 | Fast streaming, incremental repair, audit logging |
Detailed Patch Version Information
Cassandra 5.0.x Series:
- 5.0.0 (2024-09-05) – GA release
- 5.0.1 (2024-11-08) – Latest stable version
Cassandra 4.1.x Series:
- 4.1.0 (2022-07-13) – Initial release
- 4.1.1 (2022-10-03) – Bug fixes
- 4.1.2 (2023-02-23) – Security updates
- 4.1.3 (2023-05-10) – Stability improvements
- 4.1.4 (2023-11-01) – CVE response
- 4.1.5 (2024-02-12) – Performance optimization
- 4.1.6 (2024-04-15) – Bug fixes
- 4.1.7 (2024-06-20) – Security patches
- 4.1.8 (2024-08-14) – Stability improvements
- 4.1.9 (2024-11-05) – Latest patch version
Cassandra 4.0.x Series:
- 4.0.0 (2021-07-26) – GA release
- 4.0.1 (2021-09-30) – Initial bug fixes
- 4.0.2 (2021-12-14) – Stability improvements
- 4.0.3 (2022-02-11) – Security updates
- 4.0.4 (2022-05-17) – Performance improvements
- 4.0.5 (2022-08-29) – Bug fixes
- 4.0.6 (2022-10-03) – CVE response
- 4.0.7 (2022-10-23) – Stability enhancements
- 4.0.8 (2023-02-23) – Security patches
- 4.0.9 (2023-05-10) – Bug fixes
- 4.0.10 (2023-08-18) – Performance optimization
- 4.0.11 (2023-11-01) – CVE response
- 4.0.12 (2024-02-12) – Stability improvements
- 4.0.13 (2024-04-15) – Bug fixes
- 4.0.14 (2024-06-20) – Security updates
- 4.0.15 (2024-08-14) – Performance improvements
- 4.0.16 (2024-09-30) – Stability enhancements
- 4.0.17 (2024-10-25) – Bug fixes
- 4.0.18 (2024-11-05) – Latest patch version
3. Complete End-of-Life Version Schedule
Complete Apache Cassandra Version History and EOL Status
Here’s a comprehensive overview of all major versions released throughout Apache Cassandra’s history:
Major Version | Initial Release | Final Patch Version | EOL Date | Support Status | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.0.x | 2024-09-05 | 5.0.1 | – | ✅ Currently Supported | Vector Search, SAI, Trie structures |
4.1.x | 2022-07-13 | 4.1.9 | – | ✅ Currently Supported | Management simplification, security enhancements |
4.0.x | 2021-07-26 | 4.0.18 | – | ✅ Currently Supported | Virtual Tables, audit logging |
3.11.x | 2017-06-23 | 3.11.19 | September 2024 | ❌ EOL | Improved streaming, compression optimization |
3.0.x | 2015-11-09 | 3.0.32 | September 2024 | ❌ EOL | New storage engine, materialized views |
2.2.x | 2014-08-12 | 2.2.19 | ~2017 | ❌ EOL | JSON support, user-defined types |
2.1.x | 2014-01-09 | 2.1.22 | ~2016 | ❌ EOL | Performance improvements, new token allocation |
2.0.x | 2013-09-03 | 2.0.17 | ~2015 | ❌ EOL | CQL3, lightweight transactions |
1.2.x | 2012-10-16 | 1.2.19 | ~2014 | ❌ EOL | Row-level isolation, performance improvements |
1.1.x | 2012-04-24 | 1.1.12 | ~2013 | ❌ EOL | Self-tuning, compression improvements |
1.0.x | 2011-10-17 | 1.0.12 | ~2012 | ❌ EOL | First stable release |
0.x | 2010-02-17 | 0.8.10 | ~2011 | ❌ EOL | Early development versions |
3.x Series Detailed Patch Information
Cassandra 3.11.x Series (EOL: September 2024):
Patch Version | Release Date | Major Changes |
---|---|---|
3.11.0 | 2017-06-23 | Initial release |
3.11.1 | 2017-10-11 | Initial bug fixes |
3.11.2 | 2018-02-12 | Performance improvements |
3.11.3 | 2018-06-18 | Security updates |
3.11.4 | 2019-02-11 | Stability enhancements |
3.11.5 | 2019-10-06 | Bug fixes |
3.11.6 | 2020-02-13 | CVE response |
3.11.7 | 2020-07-20 | Performance optimization |
3.11.8 | 2020-08-26 | Security patches |
3.11.9 | 2020-10-05 | Stability improvements |
3.11.10 | 2021-02-08 | Critical bug fixes |
3.11.11 | 2021-07-26 | Security enhancements |
3.11.12 | 2021-10-05 | Performance improvements |
3.11.13 | 2022-02-21 | CVE response |
3.11.14 | 2022-10-23 | Stability updates |
3.11.15 | 2023-02-23 | Security patches |
3.11.16 | 2023-05-10 | Bug fixes |
3.11.17 | 2023-11-01 | CVE-2023-43642 response |
3.11.18 | 2024-02-12 | Final security update |
3.11.19 | 2024-09-05 | Final release (EOL) |
Cassandra 3.0.x Series (EOL: September 2024):
Patch Version | Release Date | Major Changes |
---|---|---|
3.0.0 | 2015-11-09 | Initial release |
3.0.1 | 2015-12-23 | Initial bug fixes |
3.0.2 | 2016-01-19 | Performance improvements |
⋮ | ⋮ | ⋮ |
3.0.28 | 2022-10-23 | Stability updates |
3.0.29 | 2023-02-23 | Security patches |
3.0.30 | 2023-05-10 | Bug fixes |
3.0.31 | 2023-11-01 | CVE response |
3.0.32 | 2024-09-05 | Final release (EOL) |
Legacy Versions (Historical)
Cassandra 2.2.x Series:
- Initial release: August 12, 2014
- Final version: 2.2.19 (estimated 2017)
- Key features: JSON support, User-Defined Types (UDT), improved compression
Cassandra 2.1.x Series:
- Initial release: January 9, 2014
- Final version: 2.1.22 (estimated 2016)
- Key features: Incremental repair, user-defined functions
Cassandra 2.0.x Series:
- Initial release: September 3, 2013
- Final version: 2.0.17 (estimated 2015)
- Key features: Full CQL3 support, lightweight transactions (LWT)
Cassandra 1.x Series:
- 1.2.x: October 2012 ~ 2014 (final: 1.2.19)
- 1.1.x: April 2012 ~ 2013 (final: 1.1.12)
- 1.0.x: October 2011 ~ 2012 (final: 1.0.12) – First stable release
4. Extended Support Policies by Cloud Providers and Commercial Distributions
After official support ends, several cloud providers and commercial distributions offer extended support for specific versions.
Extended Support Policies by Major Cloud Providers
Provider | Supported Version | Extended Support Period | Support Content | Requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Azure | Cassandra 3.11 | Until end of 2024 | CVE patches, production bug fixes, in-place upgrades | Azure Managed Instance for Cassandra |
NetApp Instaclustr | Cassandra 3.x | Until September 2025 (12-month extension) | Security patches, critical bug fixes, Enterprise support | Instaclustr Managed Platform customers |
Amazon AWS | Cassandra 3.11 | Limited support | Migration support via Keyspaces service | Amazon Keyspaces migration |
Google Cloud | Cassandra 4.x | Standard support | GKE-based Cassandra operations support | Google Cloud deployment |
DataStax Enterprise (DSE) Support Policy
DataStax Enterprise is a commercial distribution based on Apache Cassandra with separate support policies:
DSE Version | Based on Cassandra | Release Date | EOL Date | EOSL Date | Support Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0.x | Cassandra 4.0+ | 2023 | Currently Supported | TBD | ✅ Currently Supported |
6.8.x | Cassandra 3.11+ | 2019-07-23 | 2024-07-31 | 2025-01-31 | ⚠️ Extended Support |
6.7.x | Cassandra 3.11 | 2018-12-05 | 2022-05-31 | 2022-11-30 | ❌ End of Support |
6.0.x | Cassandra 3.0 | 2018-04-17 | 2022-05-31 | 2022-11-30 | ❌ End of Support |
5.0.x | Cassandra 2.1 | 2016-06-28 | 2018-12-05 | 2019-06-05 | ❌ End of Support |
4.8.x | Cassandra 2.1 | 2015-09-23 | 2018-04-16 | 2018-10-16 | ❌ End of Support |
DSE Support Policy Explanation:
- EOL (End of Life): General technical support ends
- EOSL (End of Service Life): Extended support also ends completely
Microsoft Azure – Cosmos DB for Cassandra
Support Content:
- CVE patch application
- Production issue-related bug fixes
- Turnkey in-place major version upgrade support
- Migration support through hybrid cluster configuration
Migration Path:
- Existing self-hosting → Azure Managed Instance
- Gradual migration through hybrid clusters
- Automated backup and recovery systems
NetApp Instaclustr Extended Support
Support Conditions:
- Available for managed platform customers
- Priority given to Enterprise Support customers
- Includes security patches and critical bug fixes
- Maintains 24/7 production SLA support
Upgrade Paths:
- Cassandra 3.11.19 → 4.0.17+ direct upgrade
- Cassandra 3.11.19 → 4.1.8+ direct upgrade
- Future upgrade support to 5.0
AWS Amazon Keyspaces Migration Option
Amazon Keyspaces is a fully managed serverless database service compatible with Apache Cassandra:
Key Features:
- CQL API compatible with Cassandra 3.11.2
- Serverless architecture with automatic scaling
- Migration support for existing Cassandra applications
- Native AWS security and monitoring integration
Migration Tools:
Other Commercial Support Options
Provider | Service Name | Supported Versions | Features |
---|---|---|---|
Aiven | Aiven for Cassandra | 4.0, 4.1 | Multi-cloud support, automated backups |
ScyllaDB | ScyllaDB Cloud | Compatible API | C++ rewrite, high-performance alternative |
Elastic | Elastic Cloud | Cassandra connector | Elasticsearch integration solution |
5. Version-Specific Features and Upgrade Compatibility Matrix
Complete Version Upgrade Compatibility Matrix
The following table shows upgrade compatibility between Apache Cassandra versions:
Current Version → Target Version | 3.0.x | 3.11.x | 4.0.x | 4.1.x | 5.0.x | Upgrade Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.0.x → | ✅ Patch | ✅ Direct | ✅ Direct | ✅ Direct | ❌ Not Supported | Online possible |
3.11.x → | ❌ Downgrade | ✅ Patch | ✅ Direct | ✅ Direct | ❌ Not Supported | Online possible |
4.0.x → | ❌ Downgrade | ❌ Downgrade | ✅ Patch | ✅ Direct | ✅ Direct | Online possible |
4.1.x → | ❌ Downgrade | ❌ Downgrade | ❌ Downgrade | ✅ Patch | ✅ Direct | Online possible |
5.0.x → | ❌ Downgrade | ❌ Downgrade | ❌ Downgrade | ❌ Downgrade | ✅ Patch | Online possible |
Upgrade Rules:
- ✅ Direct Upgrade: Can upgrade directly
- ❌ Not Supported: Upgrades that skip major versions are not supported
- ❌ Downgrade: Downgrades to lower versions are not officially supported
JVM Compatibility Matrix
Supported Java versions for each Cassandra version:
Cassandra Version | Java 8 | Java 11 | Java 17 | Java 21 | Recommended Version |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.0.x | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ Recommended | ✅ | Java 17 |
4.1.x | ✅ | ✅ Recommended | ✅ | ❌ | Java 11 |
4.0.x | ✅ Recommended | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Java 8/11 |
3.11.x | ✅ Recommended | ⚠️ Experimental | ❌ | ❌ | Java 8 |
3.0.x | ✅ Recommended | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Java 8 |
Operating System Support Matrix
Operating System | 3.0.x | 3.11.x | 4.0.x | 4.1.x | 5.0.x |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linux (RHEL/CentOS 7+) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Linux (Debian 9+) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Windows Server | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
macOS (Development) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Detailed Analysis of Revolutionary Features by Version
Cassandra 5.0.x – Next-Generation Features
🔥 Core New Features:
Feature Name | Description | Technical Advantages | Use Cases |
---|---|---|---|
Storage Attached Indexes (SAI) | High-performance indexing replacing Secondary Indexes | Dramatically improved memory efficiency, enhanced query performance | Complex filtering, range queries |
Vector Search | Vector similarity search for AI/ML | Vector data type support, similarity functions | Recommendation systems, image/voice search |
Trie Memtables/SSTables | Trie-based memory/storage structures | 40% reduction in memory usage, improved I/O performance | Large-scale data processing |
JDK 17 Support | Latest Java runtime support | Performance improvements, latest security features | Modern infrastructure |
Unified Compaction Strategy | Unified compaction strategy | Optimized read/write performance balance | Mixed workloads |
Dynamic Data Masking | Dynamic data masking | GDPR/privacy compliance | Privacy protection |
Cassandra 4.1.x – Operational Excellence Innovation
🛠️ Major Improvements:
Feature Area | Improvements | Practical Benefits |
---|---|---|
Configuration Management | YAML validation, dynamic configuration changes | Prevents operational errors, zero-downtime configuration changes |
Security Enhancements | New encryption options, FIPS 140-2 support | Meets enterprise security requirements |
Monitoring | Enhanced metrics, extended virtual tables | Significantly improved operational visibility |
Networking | Compression improvements, streaming optimization | Network bandwidth savings |
Cassandra 4.0.x – Stability Milestone
⚡ Core Features:
Feature Name | Technical Details | Performance Impact |
---|---|---|
Incremental Repair | Progressive repair mechanism | 90% reduction in repair time |
Virtual Tables | Query system metadata via CQL | Enhanced monitoring and debugging efficiency |
Audit Logging | Comprehensive audit logging | Security auditing and compliance |
Zero Copy Streaming | Zero-copy streaming | 3x faster inter-node data transfer |
Historical Significance of Legacy Versions
Cassandra 3.11.x (EOL)
Important final 3.x version:
- Last version with full Java 8 support
- Most widely used in stable production environments
- Standard version in many enterprise environments
Cassandra 3.0.x (EOL)
Beginning of a new era:
- Introduction of Materialized Views (later deprecated)
- New storage engine (SSTable 3.0 format)
- Expanded JSON support
Cassandra 2.x Series (EOL)
Version | Revolutionary Features | Historical Significance |
---|---|---|
2.2.x | JSON support, UDT (User-Defined Types) | Bridge between NoSQL and relational databases |
2.1.x | User Defined Functions, incremental repair | Introduction of developer-friendly features |
2.0.x | CQL3, Lightweight Transactions | Completion of modern query language |
Recommended Versions by Production Environment
Environment Type | Recommended Version | Reason |
---|---|---|
New Projects | 5.0.x | Latest features, long-term support guaranteed |
Stable Existing Operations | 4.1.x | Proven stability, sufficient features |
Legacy Migration | 4.0.x | Safe upgrade path from 3.x |
AI/ML Workloads | 5.0.x | Vector Search essential |
Financial/Healthcare | 4.1.x | Strict audit and security requirements |
6. Detailed Upgrade Strategy and Migration Checklist
Customized Upgrade Strategies by Version
3.11.x → 4.0.x Upgrade (Most Common)
Phase 1: Pre-Upgrade Preparation
Item | Details | Estimated Time |
---|---|---|
Compatibility Verification | Test application CQL queries | 1-2 weeks |
JVM Upgrade | Java 8 → Java 11 migration | 3-5 days |
Configuration Review | Verify cassandra.yaml compatibility | 2-3 days |
Backup Execution | Create full cluster snapshots | 4-8 hours |
Test Environment Setup | Replicate production environment | 1 week |
Phase 2: Rolling Upgrade Execution
# Example node-by-node sequential upgrade script
#!/bin/bash
# 1. Check current node status
nodetool status
# 2. Drain the node
nodetool drain
# 3. Stop Cassandra service
sudo systemctl stop cassandra
# 4. Upgrade package
sudo yum update cassandra -y # RHEL/CentOS
# or
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade cassandra # Ubuntu/Debian
# 5. Review and adjust configuration files
sudo vim /etc/cassandra/cassandra.yaml
# 6. Restart service
sudo systemctl start cassandra
# 7. Check node status
nodetool status
nodetool info
# 8. Wait for stability before proceeding to next node
sleep 300 # 5-minute wait
Phase 3: Post-Upgrade Validation
Validation Item | Verification Method | Expected Result |
---|---|---|
Cluster Status | nodetool status |
All nodes UN (Up Normal) |
Data Consistency | nodetool repair |
No consistency issues |
Performance Testing | Run cassandra-stress | Achieve baseline performance |
Application Testing | Full functional testing | All features working normally |
3.0.x → 4.1.x Upgrade (2-Phase Upgrade)
Recommended Path: 3.0.x → 4.0.x → 4.1.x
4.x → 5.0.x Upgrade (Latest Features)
Special Considerations:
- JDK 17 mandatory requirement
- SAI index migration planning
- Vector data type usage review
JDK Upgrade Checklist:
Step | Task | Notes |
---|---|---|
1 | Verify current JVM version | java -version |
2 | Install JDK 17 | OpenJDK recommended |
3 | Update JAVA_HOME environment variable | Modify /etc/environment |
4 | Review GC options | Consider G1GC or ZGC |
5 | Readjust heap size | Reflect new GC characteristics |
Upgrade Strategies by Cluster Size
Small Clusters (3-6 nodes)
Recommended Method: Sequential rolling upgrade
- Duration: 2-4 hours
- Downtime: None (if RF ≥ 2)
- Risk Level: Low
Medium Clusters (7-20 nodes)
Recommended Method: Rack-by-rack rolling upgrade
- Duration: 6-12 hours
- Downtime: None
- Parallel Processing: One node per rack
Large Clusters (21+ nodes)
Recommended Method: Data center-by-data center phased upgrade
- Duration: 1-3 days
- Risk Management: Independent progression by DC
- Traffic Distribution: Utilize load balancers
Rollback Procedures for Failed Upgrades
Automated Rollback Script
#!/bin/bash
# Emergency rollback script
ROLLBACK_VERSION="3.11.19"
BACKUP_CONFIG="/opt/cassandra-backup/config"
echo "=== Emergency Rollback Started ==="
# 1. Stop service
sudo systemctl stop cassandra
# 2. Install previous version package
sudo yum downgrade cassandra-${ROLLBACK_VERSION} -y
# 3. Restore configuration files
sudo cp ${BACKUP_CONFIG}/cassandra.yaml /etc/cassandra/
# 4. Verify data directory permissions
sudo chown -R cassandra:cassandra /var/lib/cassandra
# 5. Restart service
sudo systemctl start cassandra
# 6. Check status
sleep 30
nodetool status
echo "=== Rollback Complete ==="
Upgrade Monitoring Checklist
Real-Time Monitoring Metrics
Metric | Normal Range | Alert Threshold | Tools |
---|---|---|---|
CPU Usage | < 70% | > 85% | htop, Grafana |
Memory Usage | < 80% | > 90% | nodetool info |
Disk I/O | < 80% | > 95% | iostat |
Network Throughput | Normal level | Sudden changes | iftop |
GC Pause | < 100ms | > 500ms | gc.log |
Read/Write Latency | < 10ms | > 50ms | nodetool proxyhistograms |
Performance Benchmark Comparison
Pre/Post-Upgrade Performance Measurement
# Pre-upgrade performance baseline measurement
cassandra-stress write n=1000000 \
-rate threads=50 \
-node 192.168.1.10,192.168.1.11,192.168.1.12
# Post-upgrade performance verification
cassandra-stress read n=1000000 \
-rate threads=50 \
-node 192.168.1.10,192.168.1.11,192.168.1.12
# Mixed workload testing
cassandra-stress mixed ratio\(write=1,read=3\) n=1000000 \
-rate threads=50 \
-node 192.168.1.10,192.168.1.11,192.168.1.12
Data Integrity Verification Procedures
Verification Step | Command | Expected Result |
---|---|---|
1. Schema Verification | DESCRIBE TABLES; |
All tables normal |
2. Data Count | SELECT COUNT(*) FROM table; |
Same as pre-upgrade |
3. Consistency Check | nodetool repair |
No inconsistencies |
4. Replication Verification | nodetool status |
All nodes synchronized |
5. Backup Verification | nodetool snapshot |
Snapshots created normally |
Upgrade Project Timeline
Overall Project Schedule (3.11 → 4.1 Upgrade Example)
Week | Phase | Key Activities | Deliverables |
---|---|---|---|
1-2 | Planning | Current state analysis, risk assessment | Upgrade plan document |
3-4 | Environment Preparation | Test environment setup, tool preparation | Test environment |
5-6 | Testing | Compatibility testing, performance testing | Test report |
7 | Final Preparation | Backup, checklist verification | Ready for execution |
8 | Production Upgrade | Rolling upgrade execution | Upgrade complete |
9 | Stabilization | Monitoring, performance optimization | Stabilization report |
Organizational Roles and Responsibilities for Upgrades
Role | Responsibility Area | Key Tasks |
---|---|---|
DBA Team | Database operations | Backup, upgrade execution, monitoring |
Development Team | Application compatibility | CQL query verification, functional testing |
Infrastructure Team | System environment | JVM upgrade, network configuration |
QA Team | Quality assurance | Full system testing, performance verification |
Security Team | Security review | Security configuration review, vulnerability assessment |
7. Risks of Delaying Upgrades and Security Considerations
Security Vulnerability Exposure
Continuing to use versions that have reached end-of-life poses several risks:
- Unpatched CVEs: No security patches for new vulnerabilities
- Compliance Issues: Potential violation of enterprise security policies
- Technical Debt Accumulation: Increasing upgrade complexity over time
Performance and Stability Issues
- Lost Optimization Opportunities: Missing performance improvements in newer versions
- Hardware Compatibility: Potential compatibility issues with modern hardware
- Reduced Community Support: Decreased technical support and troubleshooting assistance
With the official end-of-support for the Apache Cassandra 3.x series, many organizations are at a decision point regarding upgrades.
Immediate Action Required:
- Currently using 3.x versions in production environments
- Environments where security compliance is critical
- Projects requiring latest features
Phased Approach Possible:
- Can utilize extended support from cloud providers
- Low external exposure risk as internal systems
- Sufficient time to establish comprehensive migration plans
Most importantly, don’t delay. Technical debt grows over time, and upgrade complexity increases. Now is the perfect opportunity to leverage Cassandra’s latest features and advance your system to the next level. 🙂
Related Links:
- Apache Cassandra Official Site
- Cassandra 5.0 Release Notes
- Official EOL Announcement
- EndOfLife.date – Cassandra