Microsoft will stop support of Server 2003 R2 on July 14, 2015. It’s important to keep in mind that server migrations are always more complicated than desktop migrations. The change from 2003 to 2008 R2 / 2012 R2 is night and day and you have no promises of compatibility.
This will be the end of Extended Support for Server 2003 R2, much like Windows XP just went through, which means no more patches or fixes, period. Microsoft is officially ending the life of the Operating System. Server 2003 still accounts for about 20% of total Windows Server installations and will be down to 10% by the end of 2014, according to IDC.
End of Support may impact your business if you haven’t upgraded or began migrating:
- Bottom Line – Increased support costs post Windows Server 2003 End of Support
- Security/Compliance – Regulations such as HIPAA, PCI, SOX & Dodd-Frank will require regulated industries to run on supported platforms
Best practice planning for your Windows 2003 R2 server migration should include phases for project scope (technical and project management), resource allocation, capability (i.e. programmers and testers), and budget. There are more granular components as well, but these are a good place to start. In summary, the rule of thumb for successful migrations is to plan ahead, be thorough, and don’t wait until the last minute if it can be avoided.