ServerBase Blog
Wednesday, 15. May 2019
Microsoft will end support for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 in around half a year. Depending on the source, a quarter to a third of the servers are running these operating systems. On January 14, 2020, support will be finally discontinued and no more critical security updates will be delivered. In order to prevent security gaps in the IT infrastructure, an update to at least Windows Server 2012 is unavoidable.
In the last ten years since the release of Windows Server 2008, the IT world has changed significantly. The transition to 64-bit computing was in full swing, and the major cost benefits of virtualization have triggered numerous IT projects. The job of server operating systems was simply to ensure stable operation and simplify the lives of system administrators. Today, the operating system is part of the big changes in the economy, and it is becoming increasingly important to precisely match it to the respective application scenarios. Blockchain, autonomous driving, big data, artificial intelligence and quantum computers fundamentally change the requirements for an operating system, even if Windows servers are rarely used for such cases. Nevertheless, the world today is a different place and the time has come for Microsoft to say goodbye to Windows Server 2008 (R2).
There are different scenarios for migration. Either not to do anything, which is certainly the worst option. If you cannot migrate your Windows Server 2008 (R2) systems at the moment, you can buy Microsoft’s extended support for a lot of money, which will delay the matter by another few years.
Outsourcing the affected servers or individual services to the cloud is an effective way to keep investment costs low and increase flexibility and adaptability to new business requirements. Or to outsource the entire IT environment to a Desktop-as-a-Service solution, which is generally a big trend. But perhaps there are still enough resources on the on-premises infrastructure to run the servers. Then a migration of the services to a current Windows Server operating system is sufficient.
Whatever you decide, early planning gives you enough time for the migration and prevents unpleasant surprises. We are happy to assist you if you need support.
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