IT hardware, no matter how well-built, doesn’t last forever, and as your equipment starts to show signs of age, you might wonder whether or not it’s time for an upgrade. If your hardware is reaching end of life (EOL), it may be worth connecting with your OEM to determine your options for the future. On the other hand, if your equipment has reached the end of service life (EOSL), you have more options than to replace it. This article will explore the differences between EOL and EOSL products and how to decide whether or not it’s time to swap your old hardware or seek alternative support.
EOL Products vs. EOSL Products
While “end of life” and “end of service life” sound similar, they refer to a different set of milestones.
What Is an End of Life Product?
A product reaches the EOL stage when the Original Equipment Manager (OEM) halts production of a particular product, typically because they have a new version ready for market. While OEMs generally provide EOL support and maintenance services for products, the firmware remains maxed out, indicating you won’t receive any significant updates after that.
What Are End-of-Service Life Products?
EOSL products, by contrast, have exhausted their service life, indicating that the OEM will cease maintenance or support for that hardware. In this way, EOSL represents the sunset phase of a product’s lifecycle and functionality. Consequently, hardware at the end of its service life may require more immediate replacement than equipment in the EOL stage.
OEM Product Lifecycle
In-life products receive OEM support and maintenance. These items are usually new and are often at the initial stages of their lifecycle. Although in-life equipment is preferable, all hardware eventually wears down. Therefore, it’s crucial to differentiate between aging equipment that is either EOL or EOSL and decide whether to maintain support for that hardware or begin anew by purchasing an in-life product. A clear understanding of the meanings of EOSL, EOL, and in-life can empower you to make informed business choices regarding hardware purchases.
How OEM Milestones Are Defined
Different OEMs define each of these milestones differently. For example, CISCO defines the “end-of-sale date” as the last date someone can order products through the platform’s point-of-sale mechanisms. However, CISCO defines “end of service life” as the “last date of support” and the last date to receive applicable service and support for products as entitled by their respective warranties.
Whether you’re looking for the CISCO 3850 EOL or the CISCO 3650 EOL, pay close attention to the model number, as each will stop receiving support at a different time.
HPE, on the other hand, defines EOL products and EOSL products differently. For example, if you’re interested in the HP Proliant end-of-service life date, selecting that specific model rather than the EOSL date for another model is essential. This precision is key to ensuring you have the correct information for your specific needs.
Is Third-Party Maintenance Right For You?
If your hardware has reached EOL or EOSL in the product life cycle, there’s no need to panic. Third-party maintenance (TPM) is a great alternative to traditional OEM support. It offers greater flexibility and is less expensive than purchasing post-warranty support from OEMs or replacing equipment altogether.
Contact OSI Today to Get Started
OSI offers multi-vendor, best-in-class support that includes flexible contract terms, customized SLAs, onsite field engineering, and more. Just because your hardware has reached end of life or end or service life doesn’t mean you’re out of options—reach out to OSI today to learn more about our services and how we can help breathe new life into your old equipment!