Maintenance

HCL Commerce Version 9 uses a Continuous Delivery (CD) support model, which follows standard (2+1) policy for product maintenance support. Fixes and new functions are delivered by using a single easy-to-install Continuous Delivery Update Package.

Continuous Delivery Update Packages

The following list describes key characteristics of CD Update Packages:
  • Each new Update Package is an accumulation of the previous updates plus new fixes and enhancements. For example, HCL Commerce Version 9.0.1.3 contains all the functions and fixes from Versions 9.0.1.1 and 9.0.1.2.
  • An Update Package is the only mechanism that HCL uses to deliver features and fixes. Interim fixes are not provided.
  • HCL intends to release Update Packages monthly, or more frequently if security vulnerabilities are identified. The timing and frequency is not guaranteed and can change without notice at HCL's sole discretion.
  • New features, or enhancements to existing features, that could affect your custom code are disabled by default.
  • HCL Commerce follows the continuous delivery (CD) model with product technical support for three years and extended support for two additional years. This model is referred to as a standard two-plus-one (2+1) policy. The lifecycle of HCL Commerce is extended based on the standard CD model. A standard CD model follows a 2+1 policy.
  • HCL Commerce 9.0.0.x has ended its maintenance phase and will no longer be supported by HCL. New features will be delivered in version 9.0.1 and later releases.
The following table shows the key differences between the Update Packages for HCL Commerce and HCL Commerce Developer.
Comparing packages between runtime and development environments
HCL Commerce runtime HCL Commerce Developer
Delivery format Docker images that you can use to deploy new Docker containers.
To ensure a seamless maintenance update to your runtime environment, follow HCL best practices during development.
  • Do not manually change files (such as editing configurations or updating application code) within a running Docker container. Otherwise, your configurations and code might be lost after you update your environment.
  • Instead, customize code in the HCL Commerce Developer environment and then deploy code into new Docker images. For more information, see Building a custom Docker image from a deployable package.
 Compressed installation .pak file that you can install with IBM Installation Manager. Use this package to update an existing HCL Commerce Developer Version 9 installation.
Download location HCL License and Delivery portal HCL License and Delivery portal
Co-requisite software Update Packages includes fixes to the co-requisite software programs, WebSphere Application Server, WebSphere Application Server Liberty, IBM HTTP Server, and the CentOS Linux distribution, which are bundled in the Docker images.

Do not manually apply co-requisite fixes to your runtime environment. Instead, wait for the fix to be included in the official HCL Commerce Update Package. Otherwise, your changes might be overwritten when you apply the next HCL Commerce Update Package. If you decide to manually apply fixes, it is your responsibility to track the changes that you made in your runtime environment. You need to reapply any fixes that are not included in the official Update Package. For information, see Fixes that are included in HCL Commerce update packages.

Note: If an Update Package includes fixes to WebSphere Application Server or WebSphere Application Server Liberty, it is recommended that you also update the development environment to the same levels to ensure compatibility.
Update Packages do not include fixes to the co-requisite software.

You need to manually apply maintenance to co-requisite software such as WebSphere Application Server, WebSphere Application Server Liberty, or Rational Application Developer.

Note: If WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Application Server Liberty are updated in the Docker containers, it is recommended that you also update your development environment to the same levels to ensure compatibility.
Security fixes Update Packages include the latest security fixes for HCL Commerce and for all corequisite software.
  • For CentOS base operating system: HCL will perform Docker image security scans and monitor the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposure (CVE) database. If CentOS releases a new version that includes fixes to CVE issues, then HCL will update the Docker images with the new CentOS version.
  • For WebSphere Application Server, WebSphere Application Server Liberty, and the IBM Java SDK: HCL will apply any necessary fixes that are announced.
 Update Packages include security fixes to HCL Commerce but do not include security to the co-requisite software.

You need to manually apply security fixes to co-requisite software such as WebSphere Application Server, WebSphere Application Server Liberty, or Rational Application Developer.

Note: If WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Application Server Liberty are updated in the Docker containers, it is recommended that you also update your development environment to the same levels to ensure compatibility.
Installation HCL Commerce runtime Update Package overview HCL Commerce Developer Update Package overview