The Alarm Windows Server 2003 is fast approaching its end-of-life. Microsoft has announced the official date for end-of-life support as July 14, 2015. While many administrators are well aware of this fact, there are still nearly a million servers across the globe currently running live applications on Windows Server 2003. Even if your Windows 2003 server is stable at this time, do you want to risk running your applications on a server that will not ever again be supported starting July 15, 2015? Needless to say, waiting until the last minute to perform your Windows 2003 server migration is a risky proposition The Concern What does end-of-support for Windows Server 2003 really mean? No updates 37 critical updates were released in 2013 for Windows Server 2003/R2 under Extended Support. No updates will be developed or released after end of support. No compliance Lack of compliance with various standards and regulations can be devastating. This may include various regulatory and industry standards for which compliance can no longer be achieved. No applications support Many applications will also cease to be supported, once the operating system they are running on is unsupported. This includes all Microsoft applications.. The Solution Stay Put In this scenario, you no longer require server support, are prepared for major vulnerabilities and are perfectly fine to just “kick the can down the road.” Assuming you actually rely on your Windows 2003 server applications, this option is only viable if you already are underway with replacing all your applications and servers with a new architecture from the ground up. Upgrade The Server Performing an upgrade to your existing server, if even an option, in most cases will result in functionality errors with your applications that you’ll need to resolve in a “live” environment. This option is extremely high risk, unless you are certain that you won’t encounter any significant application errors upon the server upgrade, and your business can withstand possible services outages. Migrate and Upgrade In most all cases this is your best, most logical option. Start with your plan, and start now. Should you require any further information, do feel free to email us on Swan is a 25 year old, IT infrastructure and facilities management company providing state-of-the-art IT solutions to large and medium enterprises. Swan Solutions & Services Pvt. Ltd. 403-406, Twin Complex Phase-I, Marol-Maroshi Road, Marol Naka, Opp. Marol Fire Brigade, Andheri(E), Mumbai 400059 INDIA Tel.: +91 22 6771 8011 Fax: +91 22 6771 8080 Email :web-sales@swansol.com www.swansol.com