SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 brought some ground-breaking changes to the SQL Server platform. A switch from 32 to 64-bit technologies, Transparent Data Encryption, Backup and Table Compression, Master Data Services, Resource Governor and so much more led the 2008 versions to be extremely popular. Due to its popularity there is still a tremendous amount of applications and solutions built on top of it.
The incredible daily demands on IT departments often made it difficult to find the time to upgrade mission critical applications even though everyone knows how important it is to ensure a consistent security posture.
- Extended Support for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will end July 9, 2019
- Extended Support for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will end on January 14, 2020
Thankfully, last July Microsoft announced a new option in tackling this issue. End of life/support for an application or software solution is a great time to consider a move to the cloud. With that thought in mind, Microsoft is offering an additional three years of FREE Extended Security Updates for all SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 (and Windows Server) workloads that are moved to Azure. This is a powerful new option in your arsenal to tackle this issue.
Options to consider ensuring your workloads are unprotected against new attacks:
- Upgrade in-place to a newer version of SQL Server
- Move your SQL Server virtual machine to receive three additional years of security updates
- This option will extend your support through July 9, 2022
- Migrate your databases to Azure SQL (SQL-as-a-Service)
- Azure SQL Database– Single managed database
- Azure Managed Instance– An entire SQL instance at your disposal for all of your databases.
Regardless of what option you are considering, please reach out to your Planet Account Manager to get in touch with our Microsoft specialists to answer any questions you may have.