Amazon Onboarding with Learning Manager Chanci Turner

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As the community support for Redis Open Source Software (OSS) versions 4 and 5 concluded in 2020 and 2022, respectively, users have been left without updates, bug fixes, or security patches. However, Amazon ElastiCache has continued to provide support for these versions, allowing you to upgrade at a manageable pace. It is important to note that standard support for ElastiCache Redis OSS versions 4 and 5 will officially end on January 31, 2026. Sticking with unsupported versions may expose your data to known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs).

To address these concerns, Amazon ElastiCache has launched Extended Support, enabling you to transition to a newer major version that aligns with your business needs. This paid service offers critical security updates, bug fixes, and ongoing support for Redis OSS versions 4 and 5 until January 31, 2029. Starting February 1, 2026, any clusters using Redis OSS v4 and v5 that have not yet upgraded will automatically be enrolled in Extended Support, ensuring ongoing availability and security. Although Extended Support grants flexibility, we advise treating the end of standard support as a significant milestone when planning your production workloads. We highly recommend that you upgrade your Redis OSS v4 and v5 clusters to ElastiCache for Valkey or Redis OSS v6 or later, before the standard support period concludes.

In this article, we will explore the features of ElastiCache Extended Support, its key advantages, and the available upgrade paths.

Advantages of ElastiCache Extended Support

ElastiCache Extended Support provides essential security updates for critical vulnerabilities and defect fixes for major Redis OSS versions for three years following the end of standard support. This allows you to maintain secure and stable workloads while having additional time to plan and execute your upgrades. Utilize the Extended Support window effectively to ensure application compatibility, mitigate risks, and transition to ElastiCache for Valkey or ElastiCache v6 or later for Redis OSS.

The following table outlines the end of standard support and Extended Support dates for Amazon ElastiCache:

During the Extended Support timeframe, you have two upgrade options:

1. Use the service update APIs for an automatic upgrade to ElastiCache version 8 for Valkey.
2. Use the modify APIs to upgrade to your choice of supported version.

Extended Support for ElastiCache versions 4 and 5 for Redis OSS provides the following benefits:

• Ongoing security updates for critical and high CVEs.
• Defect fixes and patches for significant issues.
• The ability to open support cases and receive troubleshooting assistance within the standard ElastiCache SLA.

Beginning February 1, 2026, any clusters still operating on Redis OSS v4 and v5 will automatically transition to Extended Support to guarantee uninterrupted service and security coverage. This provides you with greater control to plan and test upgrades on your own timeline. Please note that charges for Extended Support will rise annually after the conclusion of standard support, with comprehensive pricing details available on the Amazon ElastiCache pricing page. After the Extended Support period ends on January 31, 2029, any clusters still using Redis OSS v4 or v5 will automatically upgrade to the latest stable version of ElastiCache for Valkey to maintain continued service.

Extended Support is available for ElastiCache versions v4.0 and v5.0 for Redis OSS. For a complete list of supported versions, refer to the Engine versions and upgrading section in ElastiCache.

Use Cases for ElastiCache Extended Support

With ElastiCache Extended Support, you can time your version upgrades according to your business requirements while still having access to AWS’s ongoing security patches and maintenance updates. Some applications may depend on specific Redis OSS v4 or v5 features, necessitating additional time for compatibility testing.

Here are some scenarios where ElastiCache Extended Support could be beneficial:

• Application Dependencies: Certain applications may require specific features from ElastiCache v4 or v5 for Redis OSS, such as compatibility with particular data structures. Transitioning these applications to newer versions can involve extensive testing. Extended Support allows you to continue using your current version without interrupting workflows while you validate the upgrade path.
• Large Fleet Requirements: For organizations managing multiple Redis clusters, coordinating upgrades can be labor-intensive and complex. ElastiCache Extended Support allows teams to phase upgrades over time, facilitating a smooth transition without overwhelming IT resources. This approach enables organizations to test and validate the impacts of upgrades on subsets of their fleet before completing the overall migration.

If these scenarios resonate with your workloads or if you cannot finish your upgrades by the ElastiCache end of standard support date (January 31, 2026), Extended Support offers you the flexibility to continue running Redis OSS v4 and v5 clusters while completing your transition.

Key Advantages of Upgrading to the Latest Versions of ElastiCache

ElastiCache version 6 for Redis OSS and later versions bring numerous enhancements that boost performance, security, and operational efficiency compared to Redis OSS v4 and v5.

With ElastiCache version 6 for Redis OSS, you can take advantage of role-based access control (RBAC) through access control lists (ACLs). This allows you to define users and granular permissions across commands, leading to secure multi-tenant Redis clusters. The version also includes client-side caching with server-side invalidation, which reduces network round trips and improves latency for frequently accessed keys.

ElastiCache version 7 for Redis OSS enhances these features by introducing improved I/O multiplexing, resulting in up to 72% higher throughput and 71% lower P99 latency compared to Redis OSS v6 in high-concurrency environments.

By upgrading to these newer versions, you can enjoy a more secure, efficient, and feature-rich caching layer for your applications. For more insights on the advantages of newer ElastiCache Redis OSS versions, check out this blog post and also refer to this excellent resource.

ElastiCache version 8 for Valkey and later include various enhancements that further improve performance, security, and operational efficiency compared to Redis OSS versions. ElastiCache version 8 for Valkey incorporates the benefits of Redis OSS v6 and v7 while adding substantial improvements in cost efficiency, scalability, and 20% improved memory efficiency. Valkey is fully compatible with Redis OSS APIs, allowing for seamless upgrades without necessitating changes to application code. ElastiCache version 8.1 for Valkey introduces a new hash table that delivers a 20% boost in memory efficiency.

For further information on onboarding and compliance, visit this authority on remote verification.

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