January 14, 2020 marks the End of Support for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2. That’s right! Your Server 2008 and 2008 R2 support comes to an end on January 14, 2020, but some businesses are still not ready. The reasons vary, but many company owners stay busy running their day-to-day operations. They just don’t have time for issues like this. And yet, this is a crucial server EOL (End of Life) that could cause many disruptions to your business if not dealt with promptly.
The History of Server 2008 and 2008 R2
Server 2008 was released in February 2008 as the successor to Windows Server 2003. 2008 R2 was released at the Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles later that year in October. It featured a clean design, better security and faster speeds. Most business owners have found these servers to be highly dependable.
What Does End of Life Mean?
First of all, Windows Server 2008 end of life means that the manufacturer, Microsoft, will no longer update this product unless a warranty compels them to do so.
How Soon Should You Get New Servers?
You need to change over from Windows Server 2008 or 2008 R2 to a supported operating system by January 14, 2020. However, most IT professionals believe that companies should already be working on this. Migrating all your data, applications and other IT infrastructure to new servers is a time-consuming and complicated process. What if there are problems and issues?
By waiting, you place all your IT assets in danger and you could pay more for last-minute service. Think of it as vehicle repair. The sooner you get it fixed, the less it will typically cost. Plus, if you wait, you could find yourself broke down on the side of the road, paying a tow truck to get your car to a repair shop. Avoid all those extra costs and problems by planning now to upgrade your servers.
What Other Problems Can Be Expected?
An end to bug fixes and those all-important security updates may be the ultimate deal breaker for users. Data managers will tell you that not having these fixes makes your data vulnerable to access by unauthorized parties and nobody wants to take chances with sensitive data. Cybercriminals are on the look-out for ways to infiltrate your database and steal important info.
Since Microsoft will no longer offer security updates and bug fixes, this creates numerous security holes that could be exploited. These security breaches can be avoided by installing a newer generation server with supported security updates.
What to Do Before Windows Server 2008 End of Life
There are many reliable servers available on the market today. This new generation of servers offers efficiency, virtualization, speed, and greater storage. Do some research to ensure that you get a proper replacement that will address all the functions needed for your organization.
Installing new servers can be challenging. You have to plan out the process so that everything is done correctly and during business off-hours so it does not disrupt your daily operations. The sooner you start the better. Waiting till the last minute could result in errors. When people are trying to hurry, they sometimes make mistakes.
Upgrading your server will take some planning and time. Unexpected delays are common; things don’t always go as planned with today’s sophisticated hardware and software. Don’t take chances with such important technology.
How to Get Ready for the Move
The new server may require some troubleshooting. During the transition, put data protection infrastructure in place that will eliminate the risks of data vulnerability during a server upgrade. This will protect your data from problems with the old server and risks associated with the new system. While this will cost extra, the fines associated with a data breach are often far more expensive.
Work with Professionals
In many cases, it can be highly beneficial to assign the entire project to your managed services provider. If you aren’t currently working with one, then please check out the services offered by adNET Technology Management. Our team can handle the transfer of data, installation, and configuration of your new servers. This can minimize problems and downtime. If your in-house IT department hasn’t done this before, they may run into issues that could be avoided by working with a skilled, experienced team like the one at adNET.
Reach out to us for a complimentary assessment of your IT needs.
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