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End of Life Announcement for Palo Alto Networks Expedition

Dear Valued Customer and Partner,

We are excited to share some great news with you, as a valued user of Expedition functionalities. We are currently in the process of transferring the core functionalities of the tool into new products. This strategic move aligns with our commitment to meet the evolving needs of our customers and enhance our range of product offerings. Starting from January 2025, Palo Alto Networks will no longer support the Expedition tool, including all versions of both Expedition1 and Expedition2 branches. We believe this transition will bring even more value and improved capabilities to our users.

What This Means for You:

• No Further Development: Expedition will have no new features or updates.
• Support Changes: Technical support for Expedition will be discontinued. We encourage you to utilize the Expedition community on our live portal for ongoing discussions and access to all previously created documentation.
• Email and Community Transition: The distribution list fwmigrate@paloaltonetworks.com will be archived, but the Expedition community will remain active on our live portal.

Transition Support and Alternatives:

To assist you in transitioning smoothly, we recommend exploring the following alternatives:

• SCM Features: Cleanup and optimization features with many enhancements to functionality in Expedition will be available in Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) for configs managed in SCM. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting developments.
• Professional Services and Migration Factory: Our expert team is available to support your configuration migration to Palo Alto Networks products. By leveraging automation, tactical scripts, and custom solutions, our Migration Factory team can provide scalable and efficient migration services.

We understand this transition's impact on your operations and are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out via the Expedition community forum or by contacting our team directly through the previously mentioned email.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we strive to serve your needs better with our advanced product solutions.

Warm regards:

Palo Alto Networks

FAQs

Could I keep using Expedition for my migration projects?

Yes, absolutely you can continue using Expedition, as both the tool and the repositories will remain accessible for your usage.

While you can technically continue using Expedition after its End of Life (EOL) date, there are several factors to consider:

Lack of Support and Limited Functionality:

• No further development or updates: This means Expedition will not receive any bug fixes, security patches, or new features. This could make it not compatible with all features in future versions of PAN-OS.
• Technical support unavailable: If you encounter any issues with Expedition, you will not be able to receive assistance from Palo Alto Networks. You will need to use the open live community and that could lead to delays and frustration in resolving problems.

Community Support:

• Limited community resources: Although the Expedition community forum will remain accessible, it will not be actively moderated or updated. This means you may have difficulty finding answers to your questions or solutions to your problems.
• Declining community activity: As Expedition becomes less popular While Expedition users transition to features consumption in products,, the community around it may dwindle. This could make it harder to find help and support from other users.

Alternatives to Consider:

Given the limitations of using Expedition after EOL, you may want to consider alternative solutions for your migration projects. Professional Services including Migration Factory team: Palo Alto Networks offers professional services to assist with configuration migration. This can be a good option if you need expert help with the migration process.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to continue using Expedition after EOL is up to you. However, it is important to weigh the risks and limitations before making a decision. If you require ongoing support, access to new features, and compatibility with future versions of PAN-OS, you may want to consider using an alternative solution.

Could I modify the code and maintain it?

As stated in the Agreement disclaimer 5. Use Restrictions and Prohibitions:

Except as expressly specified in this Agreement, You may not, nor allow any third party, directly or indirectly to: Copy (except in the course of loading or installing), modify or create derivative works based on the Tool, including but not limited to adding new features or otherwise making adaptations that alter the functioning of the Tool.

Expedition is not an open-source project, therefore you cannot change or modify any code without the consent of Palo Alto Networks, as outlined in the terms and conditions.

What can I do if I have some issue?

While it's true that Expedition has a long history of stability and a wealth of documentation available, it's important to acknowledge the limitations associated with using a tool past its End of Life (EOL) date.

To assist you in transitioning smoothly, we recommend exploring the following alternatives:

• SCM Features: We are integrating clean-up and optimization features into SCM. This integration will preserve key functionalities and introduce new enhancements. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting developments.
• Professional Services and Migration Factory: Our expert team is available to support your configuration migration to Palo Alto Networks products. By leveraging automation, tactical scripts, and custom solutions, our Migration Factory team can provide scalable and efficient migration services.

Besides above consider these valuable resources that can help you address issues with Expedition:

Extensive Documentation:

• Expedition's live portal contains a comprehensive library of documentation, including user guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting tips. This wealth of information can often provide solutions to common issues.
• Take advantage of the search functionality within the documentation to find relevant articles addressing your specific problem.

Active Community Portal:

• Although Expedition is no longer officially supported, the community portal remains an active hub for users seeking assistance.
• Post your issue on the community portal. The community comprises experienced users who may have encountered similar problems and can offer valuable insights and solutions.
• Search the portal for existing discussions. Chances are, someone has already faced the same issue and documented a solution.

Leverage Existing Stability:

• Expedition has been in the field for many years and has proven to be a stable tool. Unless you encounter critical bugs, it can still reliably perform migrations.
• Focus on addressing specific issues rather than abandoning the entire tool. This approach can save time and resources while maintaining your migration workflow.

Remember, while Expedition may not receive official updates after EOL, its existing functionality and the supportive community can still be valuable assets for your migration projects.

Here's a summary of your options:

• Consult the extensive documentation on the live portal.
• Post your issue on the community portal and seek help from other users.
• Focus on resolving specific issues rather than abandoning the entire tool.

By utilizing these resources effectively, you can continue to leverage Expedition's strengths for your migration needs even after its EOL date.

Why stop supporting Expedition?

Expedition played a crucial role in bridging the gap between customer needs and Palo Alto Networks' product offerings. As a free, community-supported tool, it provided valuable assistance with configuration migration.

However, with the introduction of enhanced capabilities within Strata Cloud Management (SCM) and enhanced migration services, a natural progression has occurred. 

Palo Alto Networks is now focusing resources on these more comprehensive and officially supported solutions. Expedition's legacy as a valuable tool for configuration migration is acknowledged. However, the transition to SCM represents a natural progression towards a more comprehensive and officially supported solution. This shift aligns with Palo Alto Networks' commitment to providing customers with the best possible tools and resources for their policy posture management.