we can install old version knmstate operator with specified startingCSV before, but failed now. 

4.17.z

always

1.create ns openshift-nmstate
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: Namespace
metadata:
  labels:
    kubernetes.io/metadata.name: openshift-nmstate
    name: openshift-nmstate
  name: openshift-nmstate
spec:
  finalizers:
  - kubernetes
 

2.create operatorgroup
---
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1
kind: OperatorGroup
metadata:
  annotations:
    olm.providedAPIs: NMState.v1.nmstate.io
  name: openshift-nmstate
  namespace: openshift-nmstate
spec:
  targetNamespaces:
  - openshift-nmstate

3.create subscription with specified startingCSV to install old version knmstate operator
---
apiVersion: operators.coreos.com/v1alpha1
kind: Subscription
metadata:
  labels:
    operators.coreos.com/kubernetes-nmstate-operator.openshift-nmstate: ""
  name: nmstate-operator-sub
  namespace: openshift-nmstate
spec:
  channel: stable
  installPlanApproval: Manual
  name: kubernetes-nmstate-operator
  source: qe-app-registry
  sourceNamespace: openshift-marketplace
  startingCSV: kubernetes-nmstate-operator.4.17.0-202410101505

install failed, message in sub description as below:

constraints not satisfiable: no operators found with name kubernetes-nmstate-operator.4.17.0-202410101505 in channel stable of package kubernetes-nmstate-operator in the catalog referenced by subscription nmstate-operator-sub, subscription nmstate-operator-sub exists

install kubernetes-nmstate-operator.4.17.0-202410101505 successfully