Windows Server 2003 End of Life Frequently Asked Questions
Many years ago Microsoft announced that the end of end-of-life for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 would be July 14, 2015. This also includes Small Business Server versions of Server 2003 as well. It does raise many questions for business owners and managers that still utilize this operating system.
Will my server still operate after July 14, 2015?
You will notice any change to the operation of your server. You may receive an alert on screen much like Windows XP users received warning about the end of life date. The server will still function at 100% of the capacity that it did prior to the end-of-life date.
Will I still be able to receive support for my server?
Many providers will likely continue to support the operating system, though may have indicated that they will stop providing support or could charge a higher rate for support. Microsoft will cease to provide free support, but will offer a pay for support model. The costs are prohibitive to utilize Microsoft support for most small to medium size businesses.
Will the server still be able to download updates?
There will not be any updates for security or other types of issues after end-of-life. You will still be able to download and install updates that were already released, but no new updates will be written. This will be a concern because it likely that malware writers will target these older server operating systems because they will be much easier targets without Microsoft continuing to correct issues.
Will Microsoft continue to make product-specific knowledge base or support sites available?
Microsoft will take down any specific support sites or knowledge base articles that provide technical support answers related to Windows Server 2003. This will make it challenging for newer IT technicians that have not worked with this 12 year-old operating system.
How will my company fare if I have to face a security audit?
It is not possible to pass many security audits already if you are continuing to use Windows Server 2003. It is fair to say that all security audits will be impossible to pass once the end-of-life date passes.
Will my company’s operations be at risk if I continue to use Windows 2003?
This is hard to pinpoint because we no one can predict the future. It is much like driving a vehicle on very old tires. You might be fine, but there is increased inherent risk. Much of it depends on the condition of your hardware. Likely if you are still using Windows Server 2003 your hardware is more than 7 years old, which is a very long time for a server that has probably been running continuously since it was installed. There is also the factor of potential new viruses and malware that specifically target Windows Server 2003 systems.
What if my software is designed to only run on Windows 2003?
There is a significant amount of software still used that will not operate on newer operating systems. The largest reason is that there was a significant architecture change between Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008R2. Your IT consultant can advise if there is newer software available. They should also be able to test your application on a newer server environment. It would be best practice to locate a new software solution that can operate on a current operating system and roll that into a migration to a newer server.
Should I wait until my Server 2003 system fails?
It is certainly much more expensive to rush migrate to a new system than to plan a migration. You will experience downtime in your business and the potential for lost data. It will take time for your provider to secure a server, provision it, and prepare it for deployment. If new application software is necessary it could take considerable time to migrate the data and the process is much more expensive if the older system is not in place. There will also need to factor in training time for new software with your personnel. A planned migration also allows time to budget for the expense.
Is it too late to begin exploring my options?
Now is the time to begin looking at your options.
Lotus Management Services can provide a free, no-obligation migration analysis. We will analyze your current environment and give you a comprehensive migration plan and cost budget.
Contact us today to schedule your free analysis.
407-982-5342 extension 101
Free Migration Analysis
Now is the time to begin looking at your options. Lotus Management Services will provide a free, no-obligation migration analysis. We will analyze your current environment and give you a comprehensive migration plan and cost budget.
Contact us today to schedule your free analysis.
407-982-5342 extension 101