Microsoft’s support for Windows 2012 R2 is coming to an end and it’s time to upgrade; here we guide you through some of your options.
If your business currently relies on Windows Server 2012 R2 and if you aren’t already thinking about how you’ll upgrade, now is the time to do so because Microsoft’s support is coming to an end. Here is an overview of some of your alternative options.
On the 10th October 2023 Windows Server 2012 R2 will be end of life, meaning Microsoft will no longer be providing support or updates for it. Without these, it will become more susceptible to cyber-attacks and its efficiency may be reduced, so it’s important to upgrade before this happens.
To upgrade from Windows Server 2012 R2 there are three main approaches you can take:
Invest in a brand new, boxed server with new software.
If your current server has a good spec but is just using MS Server 2012, you can simply upgrade it to a new version of Windows Server. This is also referred to as an “in-place upgrade”.
The operating system will be the newer version but the physical hardware is the same, so you don’t lose out on any investment you may already have already made on infrastructure.
You can decommission the server and move across to the Cloud, an opportunity to radically change your approach to IT from the ground up and potentially save on IT costs.
The Windows Server options that you can upgrade to are Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022. Which one you use will depend on the software you are currently using and which option it’s compatible with.
The main difference between Windows Server 2019 and 2022 is the way they’ve been developed and evolved to embrace the Cloud and hybrid working. You can an on-site server with Microsoft’s Azure Cloud, making your operations more agile for teams working both in your main business premises and remotely.
If you are looking to use Azure, Microsoft’s Cloud services, there are different options available. Microsoft offers physical desktop virtual machines or a full-blown virtual server machine, and which you use really depends on what software you run.
Moving to a Cloud service such as Azure offers several potential benefits for businesses. Cloud services often provide increased security which is kept up to date at no additional charge to users. It’s also easy to scale and adapt to your changing business needs when using the Cloud.
General overheads and maintenance costs tend to be less and users often find their experience is enhanced by the more up-to-date technology, which in turn helps drive business efficiency, productivity and innovation.
The first thing to do is accept that the 10th of October 2023 is not that far away.
Servers are so essential to a business that you can’t take risks when upgrading or replacing them, so it’s essential you give yourself enough time to understand the options open to you, assess their suitability for your business and your budget and then allow enough time to plan and implement a smooth transition, with minimal disruption to your business.
You also need to consider the practicalities of upgrading your server, such as a data backup plan, reinstalling your applications where necessary, and even considering the implications for your existing hardware and how that may affect your options and subsequent choices.
Through the consultancy services and strategy support we already provide for our clients, we are experienced in planning and implementing solutions that serve their businesses for today and for the future.
We understand that business owners and IT Directors are juggling many priorities at the same time, and finding the time to think about longer term planning when day-to-day demands always seem to get in the way is a constant battle. That’s where we take the strain and provide the solutions.
If you want to consider you server solutions for driving greater efficiency, we are here to support you with an upgrade or a complete digital transformation. The Windows Server 2012 R2 end of life may be looming large, but contact us and we’ll help you turn the deadline into an opportunity, not a date to dread.
It also provides a much more realistic test of your systems, as testers behave as hackers would, giving a more valuable insight that reflects the real world.
Penetration tests are also conducted by specialists, so organisations using their skills benefit from their experience and knowledge to deliver deeper insights into systems, so that more specific remedies can be implemented to combat threats and deliver greater business continuity.
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