For 12 years, Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 has been a staple and well used server platform and a huge success story for Microsoft.
There have been millions of instances deployed worldwide. With many organisations running critical applications and services from a Windows Server 2008 platform.
However, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Windows Server 2008/ 2008 R2 both came to their end of life in January 2020. In this article we discuss what this means and moving to Azure.
Windows Server 2008/ 2008 R2 End of Life
Microsoft generally offers around 10 years of support on most of its products. 5 years of full support and 5 years of extended support. This ensures the products are constantly updated, patched and refined throughout its lifetime. A key element of this support is security. Ensuring that any bugs or possible vulnerabilities are fixed.
Now that Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 is past its end of life, you are in the scenario where any vulnerability within the platform that is identified will no longer be fixed. So buy continuing to run Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 you are accepting potential vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure.
How do I migrate my Windows servers to Azure?
Microsoft Azure is the perfect cloud based solution for your Windows Server requirements. When looking at how to migrate your windows server to Azure, Azure Site Recovery is key.
Azure Site Recovery lets you easily migrate your Windows Server 2008 machines. This includes the operating system, data and all applications on your existing server to Azure.
All you need to do is perform a few simple setup steps, create storage accounts in your Azure subscription, and then get started with Azure Site Recovery by replicating servers to your storage accounts.
Azure Site Recovery orchestrates the replication of data and lets you migrate replicating servers to Azure when you are ready. You can use Azure Site Recovery to migrate your servers running on VMware virtual machines, Hyper-V or physical servers.
Microsoft offers for migrating to Azure
Microsoft offers a number of different incentives to move to Azure.
The Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server allows you to save up to 40% on Windows Server VMs in Azure. You can utilise your on-premises Windows Server licenses with Software Assurance.
One of the options available to customers is the option to migrate servers running Windows Server 2008 to Azure and get extended security updates for three years past the end of support date, and this offer is available at no additional cost.
3 reasons to migrate Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 to Azure
- Cost saving
As mentioned there are a number of offers available to incentivise the move It would cost five times more to run Windows Server in AWS. - Security and compliance
Counter sophisticated cyberthreats with our secure cloud foundation and help meet compliance requirements with the most certifications of any cloud provider. Get free security updates for 3 more years after end of support. - Innovation
Embrace the tools in Azure to modernise your applications. Focus on business innovation with fully managed services like Azure SQL Database, Azure App Service and Azure IaaS.
Ready to migrate your Windows Server to Azure? Contact us today.
