[id='client-server-compatibility_{context}']
= Hot Rod client compatibility with {brandname} Server

Before diving into advanced configuration, here is a quick note on version compatibility.
{brandname} Server allows you to connect Hot Rod clients with different versions.
For instance, during a migration or upgrade to your {brandname} cluster, the Hot Rod client version might be lower than the {brandname} Server version.

[TIP]
====
{brandname} recommends using the latest Hot Rod client version to benefit from the most recent capabilities and security enhancements.
====

//Community content
ifdef::community[]
.{brandname} 10 and later
endif::community[]
//Downstream content
ifdef::downstream[]
.{brandname} 8 and later
endif::downstream[]
Hot Rod protocol version 3.x automatically negotiates the highest version possible for clients with {brandname} Server.

//Community content
ifdef::community[]
.{brandname} 9.4 and earlier
endif::community[]
//Downstream content
ifdef::downstream[]
.{brandname} 7.3 and earlier
endif::downstream[]
[TIP] 
====
The client no longer supports Hot Rod protocol versions older than 3.0. As such, you must use an older client or the `hotrod-client-legacy` module.
====
Clients that use a Hot Rod protocol version that is higher than the {brandname} Server version must set the `infinispan.client.hotrod.protocol_version` property.

[role="_additional-resources"]
.Additional resources
* link:https://infinispan.org/docs/stable/titles/hotrod_protocol/hotrod_protocol.html[Hot Rod protocol reference]
ifdef::downstream[]
* link:https://access.redhat.com/solutions/1610983[Connecting Hot Rod clients to servers with different versions] (Red Hat Knowledgebase)
endif::downstream[]
