Compatibility testing of a component with an unknown software and/or firmware version in a multi-component system

A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes identifying, in a multi-component system, a first component with an unknown software version and/or unknown firmware version. A plurality of predetermined compatibility tests are implemented on the first component and results of the plurality of compatibility tests are recorded in a predetermined database of records shared amongst the multi-component system. A record associated with the first component indicates a compatibility of the unknown software version and/or unknown firmware version with the multi-component system. In response to a determination that the record indicates that the unknown software version and/or unknown firmware version is compatible with the multi-component system, data processing is performed between the first component and a second component. In response to a determination that the record indicates that the unknown software version and/or unknown firmware version is incompatible the multi-component system, a notification is issued that details the incompatibility.