{"id":8441,"date":"2025-09-15T05:26:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T03:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.almtoolbox.com\/blog\/?p=8441"},"modified":"2025-09-15T08:21:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T06:21:07","slug":"state-of-clearquest-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.almtoolbox.com\/blog\/state-of-clearquest-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"The State of ClearQuest (2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"clearquest<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Here is a practical, current-state guide to help you navigate IBM Rational ClearQuest (CQ)<\/em><\/strong> support in late 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The information is based on our accumulated knowledge in supporting ClearQuest customers over decades, as well as IBM’s “Software Product Compatibility Reports” for recent updates (link is below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What ClearQuest releases are currently supported?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

IBM\u2019s active ClearQuest streams today are 10.0.x<\/strong> and 9.1.0.x<\/strong>. The newest generally available release is ClearQuest 10.0.8<\/strong> (GA on August 21, 2025). The 9.1 stream is still maintained; the latest fix pack there is 9.1.0.9<\/strong> (also August 21, 2025). If you\u2019re back on 9.0.1, note that IBM marked that stream effectively end\u2011of\u2011support in 2021 (final FP was 9.0.1.14)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What operating systems are currently supported by ClearQuest?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ClearQuest server and clients are supported on Windows and Linux<\/strong>. IBM\u2019s explicit de\u2011support note (2020) removed older OS families, which effectively sets today\u2019s minimums<\/strong> as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Windows (server):<\/strong> Windows Server 2016 and newer: Windows Server 2019 and 2022.<\/strong> Windows 2012\/2012 R2 are discontinued.
    IBM also discusses TLS\/cipher posture for Windows Server 2019 and 2022<\/strong>, indicating active support on those platforms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Windows clients (desktop):<\/strong> Windows 11 (64-bit).
    Windows 10 (64\u2011bit)<\/strong> remains the baseline; earlier Windows 7\/8\/8.1 are discontinued. (The de\u2011support note also calls out 32\u2011bit Windows 10 as dropped, which implies 64\u2011bit only going forward.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Linux (server\/desktop):<\/strong> RHEL 8 and 9<\/strong> are in scope; RHEL 9<\/strong> is supported from CQ 10.0.3 onward<\/strong> (with specific OS packages required). IBM\u2019s 2020 notice explicitly discontinues support for RHEL 5\/6 and early RHEL 7 (7.0 – 7.1), so plan on RHEL 8+ or 9. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 15 SPx (x86_64)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    What databases are currently supported?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    ClearQuest supports Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, and IBM Db2<\/strong> as vendor databases (with Microsoft Access allowed for samples\/test).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The following versions are supported:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Db2 11.5 or newer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. SQL Server 2017 or newer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Oracle 12cR2\/18c\/19c or newer<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      What clients are currently supported?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      IBM\u2019s current focus for ClearQuest is on two primary clients<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. the browser\u2011based ClearQuest Web<\/strong> client<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. ClearQuest <\/strong>rich client (Eclipse\u2011based).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        What browsers are currently supported?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Google Chrome<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Microsoft Edge<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Mozilla Firefox<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Use the most current  MS Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox; don’t use IE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          What WebSphere Application Server (WAS) levels are supported?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          ClearQuest Web is deployed on IBM WebSphere Application Server (traditional)<\/strong>.
          Current IBM bulletins for CQ reference WAS 9.0<\/strong> (9.0.5.x fixpacks); you should track IBM security advisories and apply the corresponding WAS iFix\/APAR levels (e.g., guidance around 9.0.5.19 SSL plug\u2011in keystore and security CVEs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          ALM Toolbox is a certified IBM partner that’s specialized in ClearQuest and ClearCase. <\/em>
          Our company helps clients maintain and support ClearQuest. Services include managed services, creating upgrade plans, providing hands-on issue resolution, managing migrations to and from ClearQuest, and integrating the software with third-party applications via API<\/em>.
          Contact us: clearquest@almtoolbox.com<\/a> or call us: 866-503-1471 (USA \/ Canada)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Related links:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n