Hardware & Software Support and Lifecycle
Q: Which GPUs are supported by NVIDIA vGPU software?
For information about which NVIDIA GPUs support NVIDIA vGPU software, see NVIDIA Virtual GPU Software Supported GPUs.
Q: How is the NVIDIA vGPU software lifecycle related to the GPU hardware lifecycle?
NVIDIA vGPU software support extends beyond the lifecycle of the NVIDIA GPU on which it was released. Software support continues for at least six years after the last GPU of that model is shipped. An active SUMS (Support Updates and Maintenance Subscription) or software subscription is required to receive software support.
Q: What is the lifecycle policy for GPUs supported by NVIDIA vGPU software?
The software support lifecycle for an NVIDIA vGPU software product release consists of three distinct phases:
Phase I: Full Support (FS)
Phase II: Extended Full Support (EFS), which lasts for 3 years
Phase III: Maintenance Support (MS), which lasts for 3 years
A comparison of the software support phases is available here.
Q: What are end-of-software-support dates for GPUs supported by NVIDIA vGPU software?
The complete list of end-of-software-support dates for GPUs supported by NVIDIA vGPU software can be accessed here.
Q: What are the GPUs that have not reached the end of the complete support phase and remain fully supported?
The GPUs that have not reached the end of the complete support phase and remain fully supported are available here.
Q: What Release of vGPU Software should I be using?
The release of vGPU software that you should use depends on whether you require a longer support cycle or want access to new features as they become available. NVIDIA Virtual GPU Software Lifecycle Policy defines the following branch statuses for NVIDIA vGPU software releases:
Production Branch: Releases are supported for 1 year. Receives new features as they become available. Recommended for users who need the latest capabilities.
Long Term Support Branch (LTSB): Releases are supported for 3 years. They are maintained with security updates and critical bug fixes. This branch is recommended for stable production environments that require a longer support cycle.
Another key distinction between the branches is the cross-branch compatibility policy.
See the table below for a concrete example.
Branch Type | Cross-Branch Compatibility Policy | Support Length | Guest Drivers Supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production | N host drivers support Production Branch N and N-1 guest drivers. | 1 year | vGPU 18 (Production Branch) host drivers support:
|
| LTSB | N host drivers support both the current and previous LTSB guest drivers, as well as N-1 Production guest drivers. | 3 years | vGPU 16 (LTSB) host drivers support:
|
Documentation on all vGPU software releases is available here.
Q: How long does the software lifecycle last compared to a GPU’s hardware lifecycle?
The lifecycle of a GPU that supports NVIDIA vGPU software typically extends beyond a single software release branch and follows a structured support timeline:
Full support: This lasts as long as NVIDIA actively ships the GPU. The GPU receives regular feature updates, optimizations, and security patches during this phase.
Extended Full Support: This begins once Full Support ends and lasts for at least 3 years. The GPU is supported in the same way as during Phase I: Full Support. However, at the publishing start of Phase II, NVIDIA is giving customers extended notification of the final lifecycle of the NVIDIA vGPU software on that particular GPU.
Maintenance Support: This phase starts when Phase II: Extended Full Support (EFS) ends. It is the final phase of NVIDIA vGPU software support on a particular GPU and lasts for 3 years after the end of EFS.
For instance, the NVIDIA M60 GPU went through all phases of the vGPU software lifecycle. It was supported across multiple vGPU software releases, from GRID 2 through vGPU 16, and remains supported as long as vGPU 16 is still active.
Q: Are NVIDIA vGPU software updates available for all GPUs?
NVIDIA vGPU software updates are available only for specific NVIDIA GPUs that support vGPU functionality. Each supported GPU is released with a corresponding version of vGPU software, and throughout the GPU’s lifecycle, multiple software releases, or “branches,” are provided. These updates introduce new features, bug fixes, and security enhancements. You can access the NVIDIA Virtual GPU Software Supported GPUs page to find a comprehensive list of GPUs that are compatible with NVIDIA vGPU software.