Windows Server Update: Here Are Your Options.
Windows Server and its users are facing a transition: The lifecycle of Windows Server 2012 is slowly (but surely) coming to an end. Support will end on October 10, 2023, just two years from now. In January 2023, the extended security updates (ESU) program for Server 2008 will also end.
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2023 still seems quite a long way off - but as we all know time passes all too quickly and it is definitely a good idea to start thinking about replacement options now. This also applies to budgeting because costs may well be incurred - for example, when it comes to replacing highly integrated systems such as SAP on 2012 servers. Of course, the situation is different in every company; one-size-fits-all solutions usually don't fit. This is precisely why it is important to take action well in advance.
It's all about performance, compliance, and data security
Ultimately, the integrity of your own and your customers' data and compliance with data protection laws, among other things, are at stake. If you continue to work with a system not patched for security you run the risk of violating complex data protection regulations such as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - which could be very costly. Even worse (and more expensive) would be the exposure of data to a cyberattack.
Microsoft stresses that it is well aware that many business-critical applications run on Windows Server and that modernization can take longer than planned for customers. That's why the company is offering extended security updates for Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 as a stopgap solution[i]. Customers who migrate their workloads to the Azure cloud will receive free advanced security updates for three more years. Those who stay outside of Azure can get the security updates through their Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. The same offer was already available for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2.[ii]
What are your options?
Microsoft officially unveiled its latest server operating system, Windows Server 2022[iii], at the Windows Server Summit. With Server 2022 and Azure Arc, Microsoft continues the journey into the hybrid world, on demand merging the two worlds; no matter where your servers are deployed. The new operating system impresses with the latest security features and continues to prove itself as an excellent solution for hosting server applications in all deployment models. If Windows Server 2022 is run on Azure, additional features such as hot patching can be used which will reduce the maintenance times of the systems and thus increase the availability of your system-integrated operating processes.
In addition or as an alternative for the replacement of your current servers with Server 2022, there is the opportunity of application modernization as a further step towards cloud native. Many modern providers now offer application constructs in which PaaS (platform as a service) services can be used advantageously and the application logic can be operated in containers. UMB can integrate these for you on your premises, in the UMB cloud, or on public cloud providers such as Azure.
Contact us if you would like to discuss your options in greater detail. We will be happy to assist you with your Windows Server upgrade and answer all your questions.
[i]Plan your Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 End of Support - Microsoft Windows Server Blog
[ii]How to use Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows Server | Microsoft Docs
[iii]Windows Server 2022 now generally available—delivers innovation in security, hybrid, and containers - Microsoft Windows Server Blog
