Supported platforms and compatibility for DSE
DataStax Enterprise (DSE) is based on Apache Cassandra®, a distributed NoSQL database. Therefore, each DSE version has an underlying Cassandra base version upon which DSE enhancements are built.
Whether you are planning an upgrade, migration, or new deployment, it is important to understand the compatibility between DSE, the underlying Cassandra version, and related components, such as the Cassandra Query Language (CQL) version and SSTable formats and versions. Additionally, you need a supported operating system and Java version, as well as compatible versions of any additional software you might need.
|
If you are migrating to DSE from OSS Cassandra or another Cassandra-based database, understanding compatibility between Cassandra and DSE versions, particularly SSTable formats and versions, is crucial for a successful migration. You might need to prepare your data before migrating to DSE, for example, by altering schemas or upgrading SSTables. |
Supported (LTS and latest) versions of DSE are 5.1, 6.8, and 6.9. For new deployments, DataStax recommends DSE 6.9, which includes support for vector search.
Other DSE versions are considered End of Life (EOL), End of Service Life (EOSL), or discontinued. When a version reaches EOL and EOSL, DataStax limits patches, bug fixes, support, and documentation progressively until the version is fully discontinued.
To assist with upgrades from earlier versions, some parts of this guide include information for multiple supported and unsupported versions of DSE.
Requirement for uniform licensing
Deployments of Cassandra-based databases are structured as clusters. A cluster is a group of nodes running DSE that communicate with one another using gossip.
All nodes in each DataStax Licensed cluster must be uniformly licensed to use the same subscription. For example, if a cluster contains 6 nodes, all 6 nodes must run the DataStax Enterprise (DSE) software. Mixing different subscriptions within a cluster is not permitted.
The DSE Advanced Workloads Pack may be added to any DSE cluster in an incremental fashion. For example, a 9-node DSE cluster may be extended to include 3 nodes of the Advanced Workloads Pack.
Supported platforms for DSE
The following platforms and versions are tested and certified by DataStax to work with the specified DSE versions.
In addition to DSE compatibility, check the support lifecycle status for your chosen platform. DataStax doesn’t support an OS or JVM after standard support ends, even if that version was tested and certified for compatibility previously.
Operating systems
DataStax recommends using the latest version of a supported Linux distribution.
| Operating system | DSE 6.9 (x86-64) | DSE 6.8 (x86-64) | DSE 5.1 (x86-64) |
|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Linux 2023 AMI |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
Amazon Linux 2 AMI |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
Oracle Linux 9 |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball (from 6.8.37 with notes) |
Full package, tarball (from 5.1.39 with notes) |
Oracle Linux 8 |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball (from 6.8.37 with notes) |
Full package, tarball (from 5.1.39 with notes) |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
Rocky Linux 9 |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball (from 6.8.33 with notes) |
Full package, tarball (from 5.1.37 with notes) |
Rocky Linux 8 |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball (from 6.8.33 with notes) |
Full package, tarball (from 5.1.37 with notes) |
Ubuntu LTS 24.04 |
Full package, tarball (from 6.9.2 with notes) |
Full package, tarball (from 6.8.51 with notes) |
Full package, tarball (from 5.1.46 with notes) |
Ubuntu LTS 22.04 |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball (from 6.8.30 with notes) |
Full package, tarball (from 5.1.35 with notes) |
Ubuntu LTS 20.04 |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
Full package, tarball |
- DSE 6.9 platform support notes
-
-
libaio: DSE 6.9 uses the
libaiolibrary to improve performance. This library has been renamed tolibaio1t64in newer Debian/Ubuntu-based platforms. AWARNmessage is logged to thesystem.logif the library is missing. See the DSE 6.9 installation guide.
-
- DSE 6.8 platform support notes
-
-
libaio: DSE 6.8 uses the
libaiolibrary to improve performance. This library has been renamed tolibaio1t64in newer Debian/Ubuntu-based platforms. AWARNmessage is logged to thesystem.logif the library is missing. See the DSE 6.8 installation guide. -
PySpark Python (DSE Analytics): Apache Spark™ 2.4 in DSE 6.8 Analytics requires Python 2 or Python 3 (earlier than 3.8) for
pysparkto work correctly. For some platforms, you must install an additional Python interpreter with a supported version, and then set the Python version in Spark configuration. -
R (DSE Analytics): Apache Spark 2.4 in DSE 6.8 Analytics requires R version 3.x. It doesn’t work with 4.x.
-
OpenSSL3: When upgrading from a platform that uses an earlier OpenSSL version to a platform that uses OpenSSL3, you might need to modify DSE configuration settings related to certificate usage (SSL encryption, authentication).
-
- DSE 5.1 platform support notes
-
-
PySpark Python (DSE Analytics): Apache Spark 2.0 in DSE 5.1 Analytics requires Python 2 or Python 3 (earlier than 3.8) for
pysparkto work correctly. For some platforms, you must install an additional Python interpreter with a supported version, and then set the Python version in Spark configuration. -
OpenSSL3: When upgrading from a platform that uses an earlier OpenSSL version to a platform that uses OpenSSL3, you might need to modify DSE configuration settings related to certificate usage (SSL encryption, authentication).
-
Java runtimes
DSE requires a supported Java version and Java runtime.
DataStax recommends the latest build of a TCK/JCK-certified Java runtime, such as OpenJDK or Oracle Java SE (JDK or JRE). If you are running DSE on Amazon Linux 2023, you can use OpenJDK or Amazon Corretto JDK.
The following table lists supported Java versions for DSE functionality. Other versions aren’t supported, such as Java 9 and 17.
| DSE version | Supported Java version | Supported Java runtimes | Java runtime minimum build number |
|---|---|---|---|
DSE 6.9 |
Java 11 |
|
|
DSE 6.8.22 and later 6.8.z releases |
If you use Java 11 for core workloads, you must also install Java 8 for advanced workloads (if used). |
|
|
DSE 6.8.0 to 6.8.21 |
Java 8 |
|
|
DSE 5.1 |
Java 8 |
|
|
For installation guides, see the Oracle and OpenJDK documentation.
For more information about this requirement, see Recommended production settings.
Cassandra specifications and compatibility for DSE
These tables provide the following information:
-
DSE version: The relevant DSE version. A range of patch releases is given if applicable. Otherwise, the stated version implies all associated patch releases.
-
Cassandra version: The underlying Cassandra base version. Support for production-certified enhancements refers to enhancements for the specified Cassandra version.
You can use the base version as a reference point when considering Cassandra-compatible software or tools, if DSE isn’t explicitly mentioned.
-
CQL version: The CQL version associated with the underlying Cassandra base version. This informs the CQL statements, data types, and other functionality that you can use to interact with your databases. Enhancements aren’t always supported.
-
SSTable format and version: The SSTable format and version used for new SSTables and SSTables that are loaded or upgraded with
nodetool upgradesstables,sstableloader, andsstableupgrade. -
SSTable support in
sstableloader: SSTable formats and versions that can be read and processed by thesstableloadertool. If an SSTable isn’t in one of these formats, you must upgrade it to a supported format before usingsstableloader. -
SSTable support in
sstableupgradeandnodetool upgradesstables: SSTable formats and versions that can be read and processed by thesstableupgradetool or thenodetool upgradesstablescommand. If an SSTable isn’t in one of these formats, you must upgrade it to a supported format before using these tools in the specified DSE version.
|
Verify SSTable format and version compatibility when using |
Supported DSE versions
The following table lists Cassandra, CQL, and SSTable specifications and compatibility for supported (LTS and latest) DSE versions. For other versions, see Unsupported DSE versions.
| DSE version | Cassandra version | CQL version | SSTable format and version | SSTable support in sstableloader |
SSTable support in sstableupgrade and nodetool upgradesstables |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.9.0 and later |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4.5 |
bti-bb |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, big-md, bti-aa, bti-ac, bti-b, bti-bb |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, big-md, bti-aa, bti-a |
6.8.9 and later |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4.5 |
bti-bb |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, big-md, bti-aa, bti-ac, bti-b, bti-bb |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, big-md, bti-aa, bti-a |
6.8.0 to 6.8.6 |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4.5 |
bti-ba |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, big-md, bti-aa, bti-ac, bti-b |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, big-md, bti-aa, bti-a |
5.1.21 and later |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4 and enhancements |
big-me |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, big-md, big-me |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb |
5.1.17 and later |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4 and enhancements |
big-md |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, big-md |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb |
5.1.0 to 5.1.16 |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4 and enhancements |
big-mc |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb, big-mc |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb |
Unsupported DSE versions
The following table lists Cassandra, CQL, and SSTable specifications and compatibility for several unsupported DSE versions. For earlier versions, contact IBM Support.
| DSE version and release date | Cassandra version | CQL version | SSTable format and version | SSTable support in sstableloader |
SSTable support in sstableupgrade and nodetool upgradesstables |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.7.13 (2021-03-05) to end of series |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4.5 and enhancements |
bti-ad |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, bti-aa, bti-ac |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc |
6.7.6 (2019-10-22) to 6.7.12 (2020-10-29) |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4.5 and enhancements |
bti-ac |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, bti-aa, bti-ac |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc |
6.7.0 (2018-12-05) to 6.7.5 (2019-08-26) |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4.5 and enhancements |
bti-aa |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, bti-aa |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc |
6.0.14 (2020-10-26) to 6.0.18 (2022-05-31) |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4 and enhancements |
bti-ad |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, bti-aa, bti-ac, bti-ad |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc |
6.0.11 (2019-12-10) to 6.0.13 (2020-08-26) |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4 and enhancements |
bti-ac |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, bti-aa, bti-ac |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc |
6.0.0 (2018-04-17) to 6.0.10 (2019-09-19) |
3.11 and production-certified enhancements |
3.4 and enhancements |
bti-aa |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc, bti-aa |
big-ma, big-mb, big-mc |
5.0.2 (2016-08-15) to 5.0.15 (2018-11-07) |
3.0 and production-certified enhancements |
3.3 |
big-mc |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb, big-mc |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb |
5.0.0 (2016-06-28) to 5.0.1 (2016-07-07) |
3.0 and production-certified enhancements |
3.3 |
big-mb |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb |
big-ka, big-ma, big-mb |
4.8 (2015-09-23) to 4.8.16 (2018-04-24) |
2.1 and enhancements |
3.1 |
big-k |
||
4.7 (2015-05-17) to 4.7.9 (2016-08-01) |
2.1 |
3.1 |
big-k |
CQL and SSTable specifications for OSS Apache Cassandra
|
Verify SSTable format and version compatibility when using |
When migrating data into DSE from Apache Cassandra, such as with sstableloader, verify that the incoming SSTable format and version is compatible with your DSE version.
The following table describes CQL and SSTable versions for OSS Cassandra 3.11 and earlier. For later Cassandra versions, see the OSS Cassandra documentation and other resources.
Once you know your current SSTable format and version, compare that version to the compatible formats and versions for your DSE version.
| Cassandra version | CQL version | SSTable format and version |
|---|---|---|
3.11.11 and later |
3.4 |
big-me |
3.11.4 to 3.11.10 |
3.4 |
big-md |
3.9 to 3.11.3 |
3.4 |
big-mc |
3.7 to 3.8 |
3.4 |
big-mb |
3.1 to 3.6 |
3.4 |
big-ma |
3.0.18 and later |
3.4 |
big-md |
3.0.8 to 3.0.17 |
3.4 |
big-mc |
3.0.7 |
3.4 |
big-mb |
3.0.3 to 3.0.6 |
3.4 |
big-ma |
3.0.0 to 3.02 |
3.3 |
big-ma |
2.2.7 and later |
3.3 |
big-lb |
2.2.0 to 2.2.6 |
3.3 |
big-la |
2.1 |
3.1 |
big-ka |
bti and big SSTable formats
Because DSE is based on Apache Cassandra, it inherits the SSTable format conventions from the underlying Cassandra version, among other base features and functionality.
By design, each DSE version includes enhancements that extend the underlying Cassandra version.
Some DataStax enhancements diverge significantly from the underlying Cassandra version, such as the introduction of the bti SSTable format in DSE.
DSE 6.0 and later use the bti SSTable format for new SSTables.
Earlier versions of DSE use the big SSTable format, with the exception of very early versions that predate named SSTable formats.
However, OSS Cassandra didn’t support the bti format until Cassandra 5.0.
Earlier versions of Cassandra, including Cassandra 3.x, use the big SSTable format, with the exception of very early versions that predate named SSTable formats.
You can load and upgrade both big and bti SSTables in DSE 6.0 and later, but the specific SSTable formats and versions depend on your DSE version.
DSE 5.1 supports only big SSTables.
For SSTable formats and versions that are supported by sstableloader, sstableupgrade, and nodetool upgradesstables in DSE 5.1, 6.8, and 6.9, see Cassandra specifications and compatibility for DSE.
If you are loading or upgrading SSTables from OSS Apache Cassandra or earlier versions of DSE, see CQL and SSTable specifications for OSS Apache Cassandra and Unsupported DSE versions.
DSE compatibility with other tools and software
Make sure all tools you use with DSE are compatible with your operating system, Java version, and DSE version (or the underlying Cassandra version). For example:
