Support for Windows Server 2003 ends on July 14, 2015.
Organizations still running windows Server 2003 should plan their migration. There’s not much time left and the migration process will involve more than just installing a new server. Though you can continue using the 2003 server after support ends, it is not recommended and will cost you more time and money in the long run on performance, security, and server management issues.
Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) running Windows Server 2003 will run into vulnerability issues once support ends and can lose business due to compliance issues.
Businesses still running the 2003 server that handle regulated data like those in healthcare and payment card industry (PCI) data will face fines or be cut off from key trading partners like VISA, MasterCard or American Express that are looking to protect their own regulatory compliance status.
Customers reluctant to migrate out of 2003 servers will inevitably deal with having personal and clients’ information stolen. Your IT staff may not be able to fully restore information from malicious attacks or electronic data loss from cyber-security risks on an outdated server.
Upgrading from the Windows 2003 server means not only having to move on to a new up to date server but upgrade to new hardware as well to support the system. Though the upfront cost may seem expensive it is more cost effective in the long run than to deal with irretrievable data loss, security issues, and maintenance issues while dealing with frustrated clients.
Companies with about 100 servers can expect the process to be around 3 months or more to be fully migrated into new servers. Those more technologically savvy should work quickly, Microsoft’s end-of support website for Windows server 2003 is a great place to get started in accessing how many 2003 servers systems you currently have plugged in to move forward into the migration. A great resource is Microsoft’s Server and Cloud Blog at TechNet with informative posts like this multi-part migration guide (Parts one, two, and three).
There you can follow the four steps of migration planning:
- Discover: Catalog your software and workloads
- Assess: Categorize applications and workloads
- Target: Identify your destination(s)
- Migration: Make the move.
You can contact The Computer Company Inc., a Microsoft Licensed Partner to ease you into the migration process with personalized in-person tech support and 24/7 customer service.
References
1. United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (2014). Microsoft ending support for windows server 2003 operating system
2. Small Business Computing (2015). Say Good-bye to windows server 2003
3. Microsoft Download Center. Payment card industry data security standard compliance planning guide
4. ebuyer (2014). Businesses using windows server 2003 could face VISA & MasterCard backlash
5. IDC (2014). Windows server 2003: Why you should get current
6. Microsoft TechNet. Windows server versions
