Operating System Support, Selection and Use

Avoid obsolete operating systems

Using the campus backbone network with computer operating systems (OSs) that are obsolete and not vendor-supported can increase security risks, since vendors will not provide updates to address security weaknesses for outdated OSs.
Adequately supporting many general-purpose OSs on campus is difficult with the limited support staff and funding available.

How you can help

Computer users and support personnel responsible for computers that use the campus backbone network are strongly encouraged to use OSs that are vendor-supported. Campus units should plan and budget for OS upgrades or system replacements before OS vendors discontinue support for a particular OS.

The list below represents the vendor support of a number of common OSs used on desktop computers at Cal Poly Pomona. Operating systems designated "In process" should not be used for computers connected to the campus backbone network without consultation in advance with I&IT to mitigate security risks. For more detail and the procedure for dealing with exceptions, please consult Advisory and Guidelines for Operating System Selection and Use (.pdf).

OS Name	Date being Phased out	Explanation	Upgrade
MAC 8.1	Phased Out	Apple no longer provides support	MAC 10.1,2,3,4
MAC 8.6	Phased Out	Apple no longer provides support	MAC 10.1,2,3,4
MAC 9.1	Being Phased Out		MAC 10.1,2,3,4
MAC 9.2	Being Phased Out		MAC 10.1,2,3,4
MAC 10.1	Current standard		N/A
MAC 10.2	Current standard		N/A
MAC 10.3	Current standard		N/A
MAC 10.4	Current standard		N/A
MAC OS X Server	Current standard		N/A
Windows 98	Phased out July 11, 2006	Microsoft no longer provides support	Win XP
Windows 98SE	Phased out July 11, 2006	Microsoft no longer provides support	Win XP
WinMe	Phased out July 11, 2006	Microsoft no longer provides support	Win XP
Windows NT	Phased Out	Microsoft no longer provides support	Win XP
Windows 2000	Current standard	Patches and Critical Updates until June 2010	Win XP
Windows XP Pro	Current standard	Mainstream support until April 14, 2009 (full details see XP)	Vista Enterprise, Ultimate (pending campus rollout; see Vista)
Windows Vista	Current standard
NT Server	Phased Out	Microsoft no longer provides support	2003 Server
2000 Server	Current standard	Patches and Critical Updates until June 2010	2003 Server
2003 Server	Current standard	Patches and Critical Updates until June 2013	N/A
Windows XP Service Pack 1	Oct. 10, 2006	Microsoft no longer provides support	XP Service Pack 2

Obsolete Microsoft Applications

Microsoft is the leading provider of desktop software applications. Campus users and students should upgrade to the latest available Office suite products to assure users are utilizing the most secure products available to their operating systems.

Microsoft has published a list of obsolete products at http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeobsoleteproducts.

Microsoft has also announced how long it will support Office 2003. For details, see http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=2488.

Support Contact

For additional information on which OSs and applications are obsolete, see you local technical support person. The official campus support technicians are listed at http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/techs.html .

Governing Advisory

Advisory and Guidelines for Operating System Selection and Use from IT Governance Standards and Support (.pdf | 58.47 KB)

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This page was last updated on August 19, 2009.