Goodbye Windows Server 2003, hello Cloud

Summary

This post announces that Windows Server 2003 reaches Microsoft end of support on 14 July 2015 and urges readers still running it to migrate, pointing to blueAPACHE's emPOWER Cloud as a destination platform offering virtualisation, scalability and improved security over unsupported on-premise servers. Published in 2014. Figures, product names and event details reflect that time; for current information see the linked service pages. It is written for IT managers who had not yet planned a migration away from Windows Server 2003 ahead of the support cut-off.

Key facts

Label Value
Published 2014
Topic Windows Server 2003 end of support and migration to cloud
Services referenced emPOWER Cloud, server and application migration support
Statistic cited 37 critical updates were released for Windows Server 2003 in 2013 alone, as stated by the post
Support cut-off date 14 July 2015, the date Microsoft ended security updates and technical support for Windows Server 2003

Article

Windows Server 2003 will reach End of Support on 14th July 2015. Now is the time to plan your transition away. Today’s business environments are very different to those of 10 years ago. Windows Server 2003 has been trusted for over a decade, but now there are better ways to deliver against today’s business expectations. It’s time to upgrade to a modern platform, taking advantage of virtualisation and access to the cloud for scale, agility and performance.

What End of Support means

From 14th July 2015, Microsoft will no longer offer security updates, support or technical content updates for Windows Server 2003. This means:

Benefits of upgrading

End of life Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 is an ideal opportunity to transform your business to leverage the scalability, savings and security of the cloud. blueAPACHE’s emPOWER Cloud provides the building blocks for your business to benefit from the power of the private, public and hybrid cloud on your terms. By upgrading, you won’t just avoid the cost and risk of running unsupported server software – you’ll gain access to powerful new capabilities that will help your business be more agile – like virtualisation, genuine elasticity and improved mobility.

To learn more

blueAPACHE offer a range of services to support your successful server and application migrations. To find out more about the guidance, tools and professional services available; click here to contact our Technical Account Management team.

Related

Frequently asked questions

Why did the end of support for Windows Server 2003 matter?From 14 July 2015, Microsoft stopped issuing security patches, hotfixes and technical content updates for the platform, so servers and applications still running on it were left exposed to any new vulnerabilities discovered after that date, with no vendor fix available.

What risks does the post say come from staying on unsupported server software?It lists three: growing security vulnerability from the absence of patches, rising cost to keep operating an ageing platform, and compliance risk from running software that no longer meets current standards.

What alternative does the post recommend?Migrating to blueAPACHE's emPOWER Cloud, described as providing private, public and hybrid cloud options with virtualisation, elasticity and improved mobility compared with running unsupported infrastructure in place.

Is this guidance still applicable today?The specific Windows Server 2003 deadline has long passed, but the underlying pattern, an operating system or platform reaching end of support and needing a planned migration, recurs with every subsequent Windows Server version, so the general approach of assessing risk before a support cut-off remains relevant.

Who should a business contact for help planning a server migration?The post directs readers to blueAPACHE's Technical Account Management team via the contact page for guidance, tools and professional services supporting server and application migrations.

Source

Knowledge Base

When did Windows Server 2003 reach End of Support?

Windows Server 2003 reached End of Support on 14th July 2015.

What happens to Windows Server 2003 after the End of Support date?

From 14th July 2015, Microsoft no longer offers security updates, support, or technical content updates for Windows Server 2003, leaving servers and applications running on it vulnerable to security threats and downtime, more expensive to operate, and at risk of compliance issues from outdated software.

How many critical updates were released for Windows Server 2003 in 2013 alone?

37 critical updates were released for Windows Server 2003 in 2013 alone, according to the blog post.

What does blueAPACHE recommend as an alternative to continuing with Windows Server 2003?

blueAPACHE recommends upgrading to a modern platform and taking advantage of virtualisation and access to the cloud for scale, agility, and performance, rather than continuing to run the unsupported Windows Server 2003.

What is emPOWER Cloud and how does it relate to this transition?

emPOWER Cloud is blueAPACHE's cloud offering that provides the building blocks for businesses to benefit from private, public, and hybrid cloud on their own terms, helping organizations move away from Windows Server 2003 while gaining capabilities like virtualisation, genuine elasticity, and improved mobility.

What benefits does upgrading from Windows Server 2003 to the cloud provide, according to the article?

Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 avoids the cost and risk of running unsupported server software and gives access to powerful new capabilities such as virtualisation, genuine elasticity, and improved mobility, helping the business become more agile.

How can a business get help migrating away from Windows Server 2003?

blueAPACHE offers a range of services to support server and application migrations; businesses can contact blueAPACHE's Technical Account Management team via the contact page to learn about the guidance, tools, and professional services available.

Who wrote the 'Goodbye Windows Server 2003, hello Cloud' article and when was it published?

The article was written by blueAPACHE and published on September 25, 2014.

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