Windows Server 2003 - The end is nigh!
January 13th 2015
Windows Server 2003 is an end of life product. This means that from the 14th of July, it will no longer receive Microsoft support.
You can continue to use Windows Server 2003, however you need to be aware of the implications of this. Security patches will not be released to combat the effects of any new security threats, and your computer and network could become vulnerable to malicious software. You will also be subject to compliance issues and companies, such as Visa and Mastercard, will refuse to transact business with non-compliant companies.
What should you do about this?
The easiest thing is to bury your head in the sand, however this is not practical. To run a secure IT infrastructure and to meet regulatory requirements, it is vitally important that you upgrade any servers running Server 2003.
Identify systems currently running Windows Server 2003
The first step is to assess your IT environment and to identify if you have any Windows Server 2003 Operating Systems on your network.
There are a number of self-service tools that can help you with this process, such as the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit. This free tool lets you collect and organise system-wide information from a single, networked computer.
Establish what applications need to be migrated.
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit can now be used to identify what applications are running on your Windows Server 2003 systems.
When it comes to the migration process, you will need to categorise these applications based on type, criticality, complexity, and risk. For that reason, it would be a good idea to take this opportunity to evaluate all of the applications that are installed on the server. Are they being used? Do they add value to the business? If the answer is no, you need to decide if they need to be included in the migration process.
Identify and evaluate your options
When moving from Windows Server 2003, there are a number of options open to you.
You could upgrade your server hardware, move to a cloud solution, or a combination of both. Some of the Microsoft options open to you include Windows Server 2012R2, Windows Azure, Cloud OS Network and Office 365.
When evaluating your options you need to consider the other systems that make up your IT environment and the applications that you use. Remember when undertaking this step, a number of applications may be time-sensitive. Many of the older enterprise applications were not written for the cloud and they expect their own dedicated hardware / connections, especially those that require the instantaneous transfer of large amounts of data e.g. CAD.
Regardless of the option that you choose, it will enable you to transform the way in which you manage your datacentre. The importance of this cannot be overstated given the exploding need for technology in a business. Today, every area, from marketing to sales to human resources, has a greater dependency on technology than ever before.
Migration Planning
The migration stage will need to be planned carefully to ensure the minimum disruption to system users.
This phase requires you to thoroughly assess the applications and workloads of the business and how they contribute to the overall business goals and objectives. It is a manual process and it will require input from a number of different stakeholders across the business units. It has been recommended by Microsoft that at an inventory should be started and that each workload and application is organised by type and criticality, as well as complexity and risk.
As a trusted Microsoft Gold Partner and IT solutions provider, IT Force can work closely with you to tailor the available solutions to suit your specific business requirements and budget. Call us today on 01 5546 000 or fill in the contact form below.
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