As you may be aware, Microsoft plans to end all support for Windows Server 2003 in July 2015.
READ: Windows Server 2003 End-Of-Life
Many related third-party hardware and software providers will also follow suit. If you still rely on Windows Server 2003 in your business, you will need to take action to avoid vulnerable, out-of-date systems.
Microsoft has thankfully created a more transparent and predictable end-of-life (EOL) schedule to give you time to plan for migration to newer operating systems.
What to expect
- Microsoft and third-party security software will no longer offer automatic security updates, so servers running Windows 2003 will be defenceless against malware and other attacks such as hackers.
- Hardware and software manufacturers will no longer continue to update or create Windows Server 2003 products past its EOL. If your system breaks, you will be to repair it yourself or search the web for legacy parts.
- Software and other applications will no longer be updated. Any new functionality that didn’t exist prior to July 2015 can only be added with costly, custom development.
What you can do
Depending on the size and needs of your business, the best option is to replace your aging server with a newer one, and then install a more up-to-date version of Windows Server, replacing hardware and software at the same time. This means less time spent upgrading, fewer disruptions and better performance.
Another option is to simply upgrade your software. However this will only work if your hardware is recent enough to support newer versions of Windows Server.
It’s critical to plan now, as according to Microsoft, it can take anywhere from 18 to 32 months to execute a successful migration.
What we can do
To find out more, get in touch with the team at iManage IT to discuss the best option for your business today.