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NVIDIA AI Enterprise Software Stack for IGX#

NVIDIA offers the NVIDIA AI Enterprise for IGX (NVAIE-IGX) subscription, which provides enterprise-grade software with long-term support, regular security updates, and validated configurations for production deployments.

What’s Included in NVAIE-IGX?#

The enterprise stack includes:

Operating System:

IGX OS (Ubuntu-based OS) or Yocto (coming in Q3 2026 for IGX Thor), with long-term kernel support

NVIDIA System Software:

GPU drivers, CUDA runtime, cuDNN libraries

AI Frameworks and Tools:

TensorRT for inference optimization, Triton Inference Server for scalable deployment

Platform-Specific SDKs:

Holoscan SDK for sensor processing and real-time pipelines

Enterprise Support:

Access to NVIDIA’s enterprise support portal with defined SLAs

Note

JetPack releases on IGX are not covered by enterprise long-term support. Production deployments requiring enterprise and/or long-term support should use NVAIE-IGX.

Software Branch Options: Production Branch (PB) vs Long-Term Whole Stack (LWS)#

NVAIE-IGX offers two types of software branches to match different deployment strategies:

Production Branch (PB)#

Best for: Industrial customers who need access to the latest AI capabilities and can tolerate regular updates.

  • Update Cadence: New release every 6 months with the latest NVIDIA AI containers and libraries.

  • Support Duration: 9 months per branch with regular updates and security patches.

  • Typical Use Cases: Robotics and automation systems with fast product cycles, research and development environments, applications that benefit from newest AI model formats and optimizations.

Long-Term Whole Stack (LWS) Support#

Best for: Industrial customers with long deployment lifecycles, regulatory requirements, or strict change-control processes.

  • Update Cadence: New LWS branch every 2 to 3 years.

  • Support Duration: 10 years per branch with quarterly security and critical bug fixes.

  • Stack Stability: Locks down OS, drivers, libraries, and container versions for the entire 10-year lifecycle.

  • Typical Use Cases: Manufacturing or medical equipment with a 7 to 10-year field life, safety-critical systems, and deployments requiring extensive validation and certification.

Security Updates Across All Branches#

  • PB: Security vulnerabilities are patched in monthly updates during the 9-month support window

  • LWS: Security vulnerabilities are patched quarterly, aligned with Canonical’s Security Response Update (SRU) cycle for Ubuntu, throughout the 10-year support period

Choosing the Right Branch for Your Application#

The following table shows the key differences between the PB and LWS branches and helps you choose the right branch for your application:

Branch selection guide for industrial customers#

Your Situation

Recommended Branch

Why

Product lifecycle: 2-3 years

PB

Latest features, shorter support matches product life

Product lifecycle: 7-10+ years

LWS

Long-term stability, extended security support

Regulatory/certification needs

LWS

Locked-down stack simplifies re-validation

Rapid development, frequent updates

PB

Access to newest AI capabilities every 6 months

Change-averse deployment

LWS

Minimal updates, predictable maintenance windows

Typical Deployment Lifecycle#

The following is a typical deployment lifecycle for an industrial customer using NVAIE-IGX:

  1. Development Phase: Start with the public IGX release (aligned with a PB branch) for initial development and prototyping. Public releases are available via NVIDIA’s standard download channels.

  2. Validation & Pilot: Subscribe to NVAIE-IGX and move to the corresponding PB branch for field trials and customer pilots. This provides enterprise support during critical validation phases.

  3. Production Deployment: For long-term deployments, migrate to the current LWS branch before full production rollout. For shorter-lifecycle products, continue with PB branches.

  4. Maintenance: Receive quarterly updates (LWS) or regular updates during the support window (PB), including security patches, bug fixes, and stability improvements.

  5. Upgrades: Plan major software upgrades when transitioning to a new LWS branch (every 2-3 years) or PB branch (every 6 months), with testing and validation appropriate to your application.

Important

Customers can upgrade between PB branches and migrate from PB to LWS. Migrations should include regression testing of your application to ensure compatibility with the new software stack.

Accessing NVAIE-IGX#

Pricing and Licensing:

NVAIE-IGX is a subscription-based offering. For pricing, licensing options, and SKU details, contact your NVIDIA sales representative or authorized distribution partner. Detailed information is available in the NVAIE-IGX Pricing and Licensing Guide at https://docs.nvidia.com/nvidia-ai-enterprise-igx-licensing-guide.pdf.

Getting Started:

If you have an active NVAIE-IGX entitlement, refer to the NVAIE-IGX Quickstart Guide for instructions on creating your enterprise account, accessing software assets from the NVIDIA Enterprise Support portal, and opening support cases.

Important

NVAIE-IGX requires the IGX-based design to be NVIDIA IGX certified. For details, see NVIDIA IGX Certification Program.