Public Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, Private Cloud, Windows Server 2015, System Center 2015, Azure, O365 vNext

 

2015 is a big year for Microsoft there are a lot of new product coming this year. This month there will be a lot of new releases of the new products ( see zdnet ) Microsoft has started to send out invites to its second Windows 10 event, which is being held in Redmond on January 21st 2015.

 

Microsoft has started to send out invites to its second Windows 10 event, which is being held in Redmond on January 21st

And as always new builds are ready for testing Windows 10 and Windows Server 2015. The Windows 10 version was OK but not rock shocking. But the Windows Server version will it be worth to upgrade from Windows Server 2012 R2 well as Microsoft Said “ it depends “ but for me it is a big YES there are so much cool things in Windows Server 2015 as Windows Volume Replication Storage Replica  https://robertsmit.wordpress.com/2014/10/08/first-look-at-windows-volume-replication-storage-replica-in-windows-server-windows10-winserv-storage-wvr/

And a lot of nice blog post are waiting about the new stuff. And it Will take time to play with this.

But what about the Old stuff ?  I see a lot of Products that are EOL but Do you care ?

I guess not.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
Lifecycle Start Date 5/28/2003
Mainstream Support End Date 7/13/2010
Extended Support End Date 7/14/2015

So in 10 Years you are still running XP and 2003 Servers so why not ? why upgrade ?

Currently my server and my desktop are running fine on those products and I don’t need any other product to do my job.

Oh ok but what about large company’s or security ( hahaha yeh right XP and 2003 ) but what if my old hardware is broken is that the moment that you will use new Software ? does the ITPRO manage his servers or is he waiting that someone is calling he my app is not working.

So there is no need for migration ? but did you know when using Microsoft SA you can use the latest versions and even if you are using 2003 you are paying for 2012R2. So why not upgrading the old stuff.

 

So if you are running say Windows Server 2003 and it runs an application that is say .NET this can be easily migrated to 2012R2 but did you know that even .NET 4.5 has an Extended Support End Date 1/12/2016

And also  Microsoft Forefront Security for * are ending on 12/31/2015

and Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004 Enterprise Edition is also stopping on 4/14/2015

See the whole list http://support2.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?sort=PN&alpha=&Filter=FilterES&esdate=12

IT company’s will try to help you to transfer your old “ legacy “ to a new modern datacenter

but don’t get fooled upgrading to Windows Server 2008 is as just as bad the Mainstream Support End Date 1/13/2015 

Is already Passed….

There is only one way so save costs step on the upgrade/renew highway Rolling Upgrades  We’re rolling out our first new build to the Windows Insider

But maybe Azure is the best place to start think about all the cost to run this server on premise. ? But is upgrading even possible ?

Windows Server 2003 is often x32 so there is no upgrade to Windows Server 2012R2 X64 Rebuilding is the best option and your only option.

and Some Migrations are not even migrations say you are running a 2003 DC with just placing a 2012 Server and make this a DC you are migrating the 2003 AD setting the FSMO roles over and you are done. and yes those apps all created by IT guys who are already retired but still this app is the Core app off your Company.  Just start over in 2012 R2.

 

Check your Applications and your servers with Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit

The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is an agentless inventory, assessment, and reporting tool that can securely assess IT environments for various platform migrations—including Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Office 2013, Office 2010, Office 365, Windows Server 2012 and Windows 2012 R2, SQL Server 2014, Hyper-V, Microsoft Private Cloud Fast Track, and Windows Azure.

 

If you need more guidance check out the MVA site

Migrating Legacy Windows Server to 2012 R2 and Microsoft Azure