Legacy K&A software end of life (December 31, 2027) and upgrade to Next Generation KA_Labs

Sierra BioSystems will end support for the legacy K&A synthesizer software on December 31, 2027. Your K&A instrument hardware stays fully supported. To keep your instruments on a supported, secure software platform, we recommend upgrading the control board and software to the Next Generation KA_Labs software before that date. This article explains what changes, what does not, and how to schedule the upgrade.

NOTE: The legacy software is the older, pre-KA_Labs software supplied as a separate program for each instrument model (for example H-8-0206). It is not the same as the Next Generation KA_Labs software, whose version strings look like 0.0.x.x. If your instrument already runs Next Generation KA_Labs, this end-of-life notice does not affect you.

Applies to

• K&A H-series synthesizers: H-4, H-6, H-8, H-8 SE / SE-VLS, H-16, H-16 (-64), and H-32.
• K&A S-4 / S-8 LC synthesizers.
• Instruments running the legacy pre-KA_Labs software (per-model builds such as H-4-0100, H-6-0102, H-8-0206, H8-VLS, H16-0100, H32-0110, and S-4-LC01; software versions in the range 01.00 to 02.11).

This article does not apply to instruments already running the Next Generation KA_Labs software (version 0.0.x.x).

Key dates

What end of life means

After December 31, 2027, the legacy K&A software moves out of active support. Specifically:

• No further software updates, bug fixes, security patches, or feature releases for the legacy software.
• No new operating-system compatibility validation for the legacy software.
• Technical support for legacy-software issues is limited to best effort and cannot guarantee a fix.
• New KA_Labs capabilities are delivered only on the Next Generation KA_Labs platform.

What continues without change

• Full hardware support for K&A instruments: field service, preventive maintenance, calibration, and diagnostics.
• Spare and replacement parts for the instrument hardware.
• Existing hardware service agreements remain in effect on their current terms.

Why we recommend upgrading

• Windows 11 compatibility. The legacy K&A software was validated on an older Windows platform. Windows 10 reached Microsoft end of support on October 14, 2025, with only stopgap extended security updates through October 2027. The Next Generation KA_Labs software runs on Windows 11, keeping the instrument control PC on a supported, patched, and IT-compliant operating system.
• Reliable serial communication. The legacy K&A software controls the instrument from a Windows PC over an RS-232 serial connection. Native serial ports have all but disappeared from current computers, and USB-to-serial adapters are increasingly unreliable and harder to support under modern Windows. The Next Generation KA_Labs software and updated control board use a current, well-supported connection to the instrument, removing a growing point of failure.
• Improved engineer and operator experience. The Next Generation KA_Labs software modernizes the run workflow: clearer setup and monitoring, per-column protocol mapping, and richer run logging and diagnostics that make troubleshooting faster.
• Security and IT compliance. A supported operating system and software stack continues to receive security updates, which is increasingly required by customer IT and quality groups.
• Continued support and future features. Ongoing updates, new features, and full technical support are available only on the Next Generation KA_Labs platform.

What the upgrade involves

The upgrade is performed by a Sierra BioSystems field engineer and typically includes:

• Replacement of the instrument control board (motherboard) as required for the Next Generation KA_Labs software.
• Installation of the Next Generation KA_Labs software on a Windows 11 control PC.
• Migration of instrument configuration (protocols, reagents, and port assignments) and post-upgrade verification.

NOTICE: Do not carry legacy methods, cycles, or subroutines directly onto a Next Generation KA_Labs instrument. The two software generations store and program configuration differently. Your field engineer migrates and verifies the configuration as part of the upgrade.

How to schedule your upgrade

• Plan your upgrade well ahead of December 31, 2027 to avoid running unsupported software.
• Contact Sierra BioSystems to review your instruments and schedule the board and software upgrade: support@sierrabio.com.
• If you have questions about timing, validation, or IT requirements, your Sierra field engineer can walk your team through the process.

Frequently asked questions

Related articles

• Next Generation KA_Labs software (release notes and downloads) in the Software Updates & Release Notes section.
• K&A hardware service and warranty in the Product Documentation & Policies section.

Applies to: legacy pre-KA_Labs software on K&A H-series and S-4 / S-8 LC synthesizers. Last reviewed: August 13, 2026. Owner: Field Operations, Sierra BioSystems.