Lanworks

Network solutions, Cybersecurity, virtualization to lifecycle support and end point management.

You are here: Home / Blog / Windows Server 2008 End of Support; What you need to know

Windows Server 2008 End of Support; What you need to know

By

On January 14, 2020, Microsoft will be officially ending its support for Windows Server 2008 R2 editions.

Organizations will find that they can no longer get support for their Server 2008 environment unless they upgrade to newer version.  Lanworks has many customers who are just now preparing to upgrade their environment.  There are a lot of reasons why you should upgrade and a lot or common reasons why you haven’t yet started.   We have summarized the main reasons for both below.

Have a read and then begin to think about getting started before the rush.  Don’t wait too much longer to begin the process.  We are currently getting booked up and the industry expects there to be a rush in the coming months.  Expect delays.

Business impact and risks of not upgrading 2008R2 to a supported version of Windows Server

(i.e., 2012, 2016 or 2019)

  • Security vulnerabilities:
    • No new security patches/updates from MSFT
    • 2008R2 servers are & will be increasingly targeted for cyberattacks.
    • Risks:
      • Cost of downtime
      • Reputation/Brand damage.
      • Data and personal information loss/theft
  • Software incompatibilities:
    • No new software enhancements from MSFT
    • No software updates form 3rd party vendors
    • Example: Antivirus protection will be limited
  • Risks:
    • Limited capacity to implement new applications
    • Limited capacity to upgrade existing applications
    • Increased vulnerability to attacks
    • Limited ability to implement newer required technologies
  • Business Continuity Risks:

    • No mainstream support from MSFT
    • No support from 3rd party Vendors which are running their apps on Windows 2008R2
    • Could impact hardware replacement
    • Could impact ability to backup and recover data
  • Reasons why firms don’t upgrade
    • Unaware of MSFT decision to end support
    • Cost and time to upgrade
    • Running legacy applications
    • IT Resources (time and skills)
    • Don’t understand what systems are effected

How can Lanworks assist?

Lanworks can customize a server upgrade project no matter how large or small your environment.

  • Discovery:  Meet with customer to better understand current situation and overall environment/design.
  • Meet to present recommendations: define and present the high level Upgrade/Migration framework, discuss roles and resp.
  • Present Quote/Estimate
  • Create detailed migration plan
  • Execute
MENU
CONTACT US