Prepare for Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 end of support, Call us to migrate to Azure and get free Extended Security Updates or better to upgrade on-premises environments and stay protected

Windows Server 2008 Mainstream support end date was January 13, 2015. Only if you pay for Extended support, end date would be 1/14/2020. Extended Support for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will end on July 9, 2019.

What does this mean?

End of support means the end of regular security updates. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent, running apps and data on unsupported versions can create significant security and compliance risks. We highly recommend upgrading to the most current versions for better performance, efficiency, and regular security updates.

The upcoming end of support milestone is a great opportunity to transform your applications and infrastructure to take advantage of cloud computing and the latest versions of SQL Server and Windows Server.

Migrate to Azure and get free Extended Security Updates

End of support is an ideal time to transform your IT estate with the cloud. But we know that it can be hard to upgrade everything before the end of support timeline. To address this need, we are pleased to announce that Extended Security Updates will be available for free in Azure for 2008 and 2008 R2 versions of SQL Server and Windows Server to help secure your workloads for three more years after the end of support deadline.

You can rehost these workloads to Azure with no application code change. This gives you more time to plan your future path, including upgrading to newer versions such as SQL Server 2017 or Windows Server 2016 and utilizing the rich set of platform and data services available in Azure.

You can use existing licenses and the Azure Hybrid Benefit to save when you migrate SQL Server and Windows Server environments to Azure Virtual Machines or to Azure SQL Database Managed Instance. With this benefit, customers with Software Assurance save up to 55 percent on the cost of running SQL Server and Windows Server in Azure.

Upgrade on-premises environments and stay protected

For apps and data that you want to keep running on-premises, we recommend that you upgrade to the latest version of SQL Server and Windows Server to get the strongest security and latest innovation. SQL Server 2017 and Windows Server 2016 are the new standard for performance and efficiency, and both include built-in security features to help you harden your platform. Now is also the time to consider refreshing your server infrastructure. Today’s servers and hyperconverged solutions can deliver important security features, as well as dramatic increases in performance and cost efficiency.

Frequently asked questions

What does End of Support for 2008 and 2008 R2 versions of SQL Server and Windows Server mean?

Microsoft Lifecycle Policy offers 10 years of support (5 years of Mainstream Support and 5 years of Extended Support) for 2008 and 2008 R2 versions of SQL Server and Windows Server. As per the policy, after the end of the Extended Support period there will be no patches or security updates, which may cause security risks.

What is the price for Extended Security Updates?

  • In Azure: Customers running 2008 or 2008 R2 versions of SQL Server and Windows Server in Azure virtual machines will get Extended Security Updates for free.
  • On-premises: Customers with active Software Assurance or subscription licenses can purchase Extended Security Updates annually for 75 percent of the full license cost of the latest version of SQL Server or Windows Server. Customers pay for only the servers they need to cover, so they can reduce costs each year as they upgrade parts of their environment.

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