Since support for SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2 ended in July 2019, many companies are still considering their options to keep their databases supported without paying through the nose.
The implications of remaining unsupported means no more updates, no security patching, and potentially putting your firm at risk of breaching compliance. The good news, however, is that there are 3 upgrade options by which you can ensure your estate remains supported and compliant in the long-term.
Below are DSP-Explorer’s recommended methods for keeping your databases secure, compliant, and future-proofed. For more detailed information on any of the below options, why not set up a meeting with one of our in-house SQL Server experts, or contact us via the form below.
Option 1 is likely the one you've heard about, and with good reason. Re-hosting onto an Azure VM guarantees 3 further years of updates at no extra cost, and provides long-term support for your workloads.
This easy step towards future-proofing your firm also gives you the freedom to explore Azure, and allows your company to take a step forward in their journey to the cloud.
Businesses that choose to migrate to Azure SQL Database Managed Instance will also be eligible for continuous security updates, and will benefit from a fully-managed service. As a Microsoft Azure CSP, DSP-Explorer can provide detailed information about this option; our page on migrating to Azure is a good place to start.
You can also upgrade to the latest version of SQL Server, which at this moment in time is SQL Server 2019. This solution will keep your databases secure and compliant, and leave you safe in the knowledge that you aren’t simply pushing an inevitable upgrade 3 years further down the line by extending support.
Critically, this option removes ‘upgrade databases’ out of the ‘do it later’ box. We may all have one, but it is possibly the worst home for anything as vital as keeping your security and compliance up to scratch. Solving SQL Server 2008 End of Support issues should absolutely be done sooner rather than later.
The third option is to purchase extended security updates for 3 more years. This option may seem fine in the short term, and is preferable to remaining unsupported, but it will demand a re-haul in 3 years either way.
If you’re working with physical servers and your firm is considering a larger move to cloud within the next 3 years, this could be the ideal solution for you in the interim - migrating physical servers to Azure is a lengthy process which should be exempt from time pressure. Purchasing Extended Support updates should, however, be regarded as a short-term solution.
Visit the DSP-Explorer website for more information about what SQL Server 2008 End of Support means for you, how you can use it as a stepping-stone to future-proofing your estate through a move to Azure.