End-of-Support Policy for Globus Connect Server 5
October 22, 2026 | Brigitte Raumann
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on a proposed support policy for Globus Connect Server. Today we are announcing our new support policy for Globus Connect Server 5. This post explains the policy, why we created it, and what it means for you and your users.
End-of-Support Policy
All releases of Globus Connect Server 5 will be supported for 6 months from the time a new version is released. Supported releases of Globus Connect Server 5 will be compatible with one another.
Upgrading from an unsupported release to the latest release of Globus Connect Server 5 will be supported for at least a year after support has ended.
What end of support means
Globus services and software will no longer support endpoints running unsupported releases of Globus Connect Server 5. Bug fixes and security patches will not be provided for unsupported releases.
Importantly, Globus Transfer will deny all new data access requests to unsupported releases of Globus Connect Server 5. This includes transfer and delete tasks, file operations, and data streaming. In-flight transfer and delete tasks at the time support ends will not be impacted. Task monitoring and management will remain supported, as well as read-only access to endpoints, collections, roles, and permissions. All other Globus services and software will no longer maintain backward compatibility for unsupported releases.
For example, suppose your endpoint is running the latest version of Globus Connect Server 5. This version has no end of support date yet, since it is on the latest release. If the next release is January 1st, you will need to upgrade by July 1st (i.e., within 6 months) for continuous support. If you have not upgraded by July 1st, your users will experience service interruption until you upgrade to the latest release.
Why we set a policy
We currently support 99 releases of Globus Connect Server 5 across multiple Linux distributions. Testing, supporting, and ensuring backward compatibility across this landscape is a substantial—and growing— burden that detracts from our ability to keep Globus Connect Server secure and reliable and from our ability to focus efforts on new capabilities for the platform.
When the policy takes effect
The policy takes effect with today’s release of Globus Connect Server v5.4.99. On April 22, 2027, support will end for all Globus Connect Server versions prior to GCSv5.4.99. Moving forward, GCSv5.4.99 will reach the end of support six months after the next release of Globus Connect Server 5.
How to plan
You should plan to upgrade your endpoint to the latest version of Globus Connect Server 5 every six months in order to avoid any service interruption for your users.
End of support dates for each version can be found at the Globus Connect Server change log page. In addtion, the Globus Web application displays the end of support date on the endpoint overview page.
Today’s policy announcement applies specifically to Globus Connect Server 5 releases. Transitions to Globus Connect Server releases that represent a substantial evolution of the product’s architecture and user experience will be supported for at least 12 months.
If you have any questions or concerns about this new policy, please contact support@globus.org.