End of Support vs End of Life for a Legacy Device?

Explain various types of vulnerabilities.

A legacy device is being decommissioned and is no longer receiving updates or patches. Which of the following describes this scenario?

End of business
End of testing
End of support Correct Answer
End of life

Answer Correct answer: C — End of support describes a legacy device that no longer receives vendor updates or patches, even though it may still be in operation or being decommissioned.

Community Votes

52%

48%

52% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Community Insight

This question tests the distinction between end of support (vendor stops updates and patches) and end of life (product no longer sold); the trap is equating decommissioning with end of life.

A legacy device that is decommissioned and no longer receives updates or patches is best described as end of support (EOS), not end of life (EOL). This page explains the CompTIA SY0-701 distinction between EOS and EOL using official definitions and community debate.

The most common mistake is choosing End of life (D) because the device is described as legacy and being decommissioned, but decommissioning is an organizational action that typically follows end of support, which is defined by the cessation of vendor updates and patches.

Community Discussion (64 comments)

Shaman73 👍 25

• D. End of life

MYC199 👍 17 Selected: C

C. From the CompTIA study guide: End of life - while the equipment or device is no longer sold, it remains supported. End of support - the last date on which the vendor will provide support and/or updates. I'm confused.

M4t 👍 1 Selected: C

A product can reach EOL but it still can be supported by vendor for a certain period of time.

Lafras23 👍 1 Selected: D

No, I read the question again, and the correct answer is End of Life!!!

Lafras23 👍 2 Selected: C

End of support comes after End of life. End of life means it's not available anymore, but patches will still be provided.

GeorgySid 👍 1 Selected: C

End of life (EOL): This is the date after which a product will no longer be sold or renewed. However, it might still receive some form of support, such as security patches End of support (EOS): This date marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product. After this date, no new patches, updates or fixes will be released, even for critical vulnerabilities

jennyka76 👍 2 Selected: D

had to check on this one myself twice.. my answer is - D here is my proof for my selection In the context of the CompTIA SY0-701 (Security+) exam, "end of life" refers to when a specific version of the exam or a related product (like a software or hardware) is no longer officially supported by CompTIA and the manufacturer respectively, meaning no further updates, patches or security fixes will be provided.

prabh1251 👍 1 Selected: D

End of Support (EOS) means the vendor stops providing help (e.g., customer service or troubleshooting), but updates/patches may still exist. End of Life (EOL) means the device is fully retired, no longer receives updates, patches, or vendor support, and is being decommissioned—which matches the scenario described

cyberspace312 👍 1 Selected: C

the question is about the end of update or patches, hence it means end of support.

emac2686 👍 1 Selected: C

C end of support

sumntingwong 👍 2 Selected: D

i think the keywords are 'legacy' and 'decommissioned'

jo_bl123 👍 1 Selected: C

EOL could still receive patches and updates with extended support like Windows does with its operating systems after the newer ones come out. EOS means no more updates or patches and a far more significant security concern.

Oluwatobi4880 👍 2 Selected: D

D is the answer

Clau95 👍 1 Selected: C

With EOL the devices may still receive updates or patches, then EOS is the correct answer.

f92c9d7 👍 2 Selected: D

End of Life (EOL) refers to the point at which a product, such as a legacy device, is no longer supported by the manufacturer. This means it stops receiving updates, patches, and other forms of support, which can pose security risks if the device continues to be used.

TmNvrWts 👍 3 Selected: D

Dear comptia decommiss yourself

ShutterRadio 👍 1 Selected: C

Look for the answers in the textbook, and read the questions with a magnifying glass. "Which of the following describes this scenario?" We are facing the End of Support. "Which of the following describes this device/system?" End of Life, but it is not the case.

TECHBOSS 👍 2 Selected: D

ANSWER: D EOL INCLUDES EOS. and the key words here are Legacy Device. while EOS could be 6 months from manufacturing or sale date based upon a support agreement. However EOS would NOT necessarily include UPDATES and PATCHES. They are two different things.

Rymann 👍 1 Selected: D

The legacy device being decommissioned is no longer receiving updates or patches, which directly corresponds to its end of life. "End of support" focuses more on vendor support rather than the device itself being taken out of use.

dbrowndiver 👍 2 Selected: D

The decommissioning process indicates the device has moved beyond end of support to the final EOL stage.

pindinga1 👍 1 Selected: D

DECOMMISSIONED == End of life

Drey09 👍 2 Selected: C

EOL: The product is no longer manufactured and sold. EOS: The product no longer receives updates and official technical support.

Drey09 👍 1 Selected: C

EOL: The product is no longer manufactured and sold. EOS: The product no longer receives updates and official technical support.

deejay2 👍 1 Selected: D

The answer is End of Life. Specifically, End of Service Life(EOSL).

ramzie 👍 1 Selected: D

The answe is D End of life Official termination of product support No further updates or patches

41c27e6 👍 1 Selected: D

indeed "decommissioned" is a keyword here. It means the device will be no longer in use.

Exam_Prep221 👍 1 Selected: D

Key word: DECOMMISSIONED It's clearly EOL, if it was EOS it would simply not get updates but continue to be in use.

gingergroot 👍 2 Selected: D

The CompTIA study guide says EOL generally refers to the date when a product will no longer be offered for sale. EOSL (End of Service Life) indicates the date when you expect a lack of vendor support because vendors no longer create patches or upgrades to resolve vulnerabilities for the product. I'm confused.

Claudia_VB 👍 2 Selected: C

C. End of Support End of support (EOS) - The Date when the manufacturer will stop providing all support services for a product, including updates, patches, and fixes. After this date, the product may still function, but it will no longer receive any new support. End of life (EOL) - The date when a product or product line will no longer be sold or renewed. The manufacturer may still provide some support, such as security patches.

chavers93 👍 1 Selected: D

Try using a hardware device with no support, updates or patches at all. It could do a lot of damage. Answer is D

ProudFather 👍 1 Selected: D

D. End of life This term is used to describe a product that is no longer supported by the manufacturer, meaning it will no longer receive updates, security patches, or technical support.

e2ba0ff 👍 2 Selected: D

End of life: no updates or support from the manufacture

Cloudboy 👍 3

C. EOS End of life (EOL): This is the date after which a product will no longer be sold or renewed. However, it might still receive some form of support, such as security patches. End of support (EOS): This date marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product.

9149f41 👍 1

Key Point: Legacy Device Decommissioning Process No Updates or Patches Questions: What is the term used to describe this scenario? Note for the Answer: The device is still usable in business operations. The device can still be tested. The device is not yet end-of-life.

braveheart22 👍 2 Selected: D

D. End of life End of life (EOL) refers to a product (in this case, a legacy device) that is no longer being actively sold, supported, or maintained by the manufacturer. When a device reaches its EOL, it stops receiving updates, patches, and technical support. This often happens after the manufacturer has decided to discontinue the product, and it marks the point at which the device is considered obsolete in terms of official support.

Sanan4ik 👍 2 Selected: D

D. End of life

3dk1 👍 1 Selected: D

This is a trick question - IT IS END of LIFE

3dk1 👍 1 Selected: D

End of Life I really think it is actually End of Support, but maybe CompTIA wants us to think its End of Life......

9ef4a35 👍 1

D End of life

3dk1 👍 4 Selected: C

EOL - End of Life The date after which a product is no longer sold, developed, or advertised by the manufacturer. The product may still receive some support, like security patches. EOS - End of Support The date after which the manufacturer stops providing technical support and updates for a product. The product may still function, but it's no longer serviced or supported.

Veerus97 👍 2 Selected: D

D End of life

ETQ 👍 2 Selected: D

Key word: DECOMMISSIONED It's clearly EOL, if it was EOS it would simply not get updates but continue to be in use.

Murtuza 👍 3 Selected: C

End of Life (EOL) comes before End of Support (EOS). End of Life (EOL): This is the stage when a product is no longer sold or renewed by the manufacturer. While the product may still receive some limited support, such as critical security patches, it is essentially being phased out1. End of Support (EOS): This marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product. After this date, the product will no longer receive any updates, patches, or technical support1.

famuza77 👍 2

if you vote for C. Then check question 132, its clearly End of Life

Murtuza 👍 2

c7b3ff0 👍 1 Selected: D

D. End of Life.

User92 👍 1 Selected: D

I am going to change my answer to D. From Dion Trainings CompTIA Security+(SY0-701) study guide. End-of-life: No updates or support from the manufacturer. No mention of End of support.

latshar 👍 1

D - End of life

comptia701 👍 1 Selected: D

based on study guide

nap61 👍 2 Selected: D

Extracted from The Official CompTIA Security+ Student Guide (Exam SY0-701), Lesson 8, Topic 8A, page 212-213 " The manufacturer or vendor no longer supports EOL systems, so they do not receive updates, including critical security patches." " An EOL system is a specific product or version of a product that the manufacturer or vendor has publicly declared as no longer supported." "End-of-life (EOL) hardware vulnerabilities arise when manufacturers cease providing product updates, parts, or patches to the firmware." also no mention of "end of support (EOS)"

User92 👍 1 Selected: C

End of Life (EOL): This is when a product (like a device, software, or service) is no longer sold or produced by the manufacturer. End of Support (EOS): This happens when the manufacturer or service provider officially stops providing support for the product.

Rock2roll02 👍 1

Answer is D End of Life (EOL), which usually includes end of production and distribution, while EOS specifically refers to the halt in support services and updates from the vendor.

TonyStarChillingFromHeaven 👍 1

End of life (EOL): This is the date after which a product will no longer be sold or renewed. However, it might still receive some form of support, such as security patches. End of support (EOS): This date marks the complete cessation of all support services for the product.

a0bfa81 👍 1 Selected: D

Answer D. End of life

bufffalobilll 👍 1 Selected: C

specifically around updates, EOS is correct

Laura5859 👍 2 Selected: D

CompTIA defines End of Life as the manufacture no longer supporting these devices, which includes no longer providing updates or critical security patches.

Hayder81 👍 2

D. End of life

Syl0 👍 2 Selected: D

End of Life... because it is being decommissioned.

a4e15bd 👍 4

D. End of Life Here is why: End of support refers to when the manufacturer stops providing updates, patches and technical support for a product, but the product may still be use and it won't receive any further assistance or updates. End of Life: Refers to a stage where product is no longer sold, maintained or supported by manufacturer. This device is typically decommissioned or retired. End of support would only apply if the device was still in use but not longer receiving updates, in our scenario where decommissioning is involved, End of Life is the right answer.

nesquick0 👍 1 Selected: C

i'll go with C (End of support)

nesquick0 👍 1 Selected: C

End of Support (discontinued), while End of life may receive critical patches. So C (End of Support) is correct.

idy 👍 3

j777 👍 1

I believe it's going to be D: When a device or software reaches EOL, it means that it is no longer supported by the manufacturer, which includes no longer receiving updates, patches, or any other form of support.

xekiva3329 👍 3 Selected: C

Answer: C

Comments & Corrections

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Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

The scenario states the legacy device is no longer receiving updates or patches, which is the textbook definition of end of support (EOS) in CompTIA SY0-701. End of life (EOL) refers to the point when the vendor stops selling the product, but it may still receive security patches during that phase. The decommissioning mentioned is an organizational response that commonly occurs after EOS. As MYC199 cites from the CompTIA study guide, "End of support - the last date on which the vendor will provide support and/or updates." Therefore, C is the most accurate descriptor for the scenario.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

End of business (A) and end of testing (B) are not standard terms in the CompTIA vulnerability management framework and do not describe a device losing vendor updates. End of life (D) is tempting because the device is "legacy" and "being decommissioned," but EOL specifically means the product is no longer sold, not that patches have stopped. Commenters like 3dk1 correctly distinguish that EOL may still include security patches, while EOS marks the complete cessation of support. Choosing D conflates the vendor's sales lifecycle with the support lifecycle.

Community Comment Notes

The community is split, with some learners like jennyka76 and sumntingwong arguing D based on the words "legacy" and "decommissioned." However, multiple commenters including MYC199, 3dk1, and Cloudboy explain the official CompTIA definitions where EOS is when updates and patches end. Even commenters voting D, such as a4e15bd, describe EOS as "the manufacturer stops providing updates, patches and technical support," which actually supports C. This suggests the vote split stems from confusion over the terms rather than a genuine ambiguity in the question.

Exam Strategy

Focus on the exact wording: 'no longer receiving updates or patches' is the defining phrase for end of support, while 'no longer sold' defines end of life. On the exam, always match the symptom (loss of patches) to EOS, even if the device is also being retired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is End of life (D) wrong for a decommissioned legacy device?

Because end of life means the vendor no longer sells the product, but it may still provide security patches; the scenario's lack of updates and patches defines end of support (C).

What is the difference between EOS and EOL in SY0-701?

EOS is when vendor support, updates, and patches stop; EOL is when the product is no longer sold, though limited support may continue.

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