Windows 2003 comes to an end - so what's next?

By Your Office Anywhere

30 Apr 2015

You’re probably already aware that Windows Server 2003 goes "end of life" on the 14th July 2015, but if you are still running servers on Windows 2003 what does this mean to you and what are your options?

By Your Office Anywhere.

Take a look at this article here from Microsoft about what you should do – quite daunting unless you are an IT professional (and looks daunting even if you are one!)

Well for a start Windows 2003 servers will, of course, continue to work but if you are Windows 2003 End Of Liferunning an unsupported version of Windows 2003 in July you are introducing an element of risk.

Microsoft will cease to provide any security patches for the Windows 2003 operating system which means vulnerabilities in Windows 2003 can be exploited.

There is also the potential that you may be breaking relevant compliance regulations by running Windows 2003. You may be frustrated about the cost, risk, and disruption of having to upgrade a perfectly good server, if so hold on to that thought a minute, it is something I will come back to.

There are a number of options open to you: you could, for example, do a simple straight swap, buy a new server and migrate everything to it.

This will involve some capital expenditure, not only on the server itself but also on new Windows Server licences and Client Access Licences, plus any migration expertise you may have to buy in.

An alternative, that businesses of all sizes are now taking advantage of, is moving their servers to “The Cloud”; but what does that really mean and why is it a better solution?

From a server perspective, Cloud Computing has come about following the advances in two technologies: Increases in Internet Bandwidth and hardware virtualisation. Simplistically the improved Internet provision means that people can connect to computers across the Internet at the same speeds they were communicating across their local network a few years ago; meaning it doesn’t matter where your server sits.

Virtualisation means that computing resources, RAM, CPU can be shared across many systems. The physical servers behind them are then used to their maximum potential, making them much more cost effective i.e. cheaper to businesses but the businesses are getting enterprise class hardware.

So, let’s assume you’re considering swapping your old Windows 2003 for a shiny new one in the Cloud, how do you decide who to host it with? Again you have a couple of options, you could host with some of the large American providers such as Amazon or Microsoft. They will provide you with your server but expect you to do all the technical work (or pay someone to do it), but that does slightly go against the ethos of outsourcing.

A better bet would be to have your server hosted by someone who will also support and maintain it, and who will also provide the shared infrastructure to enable all your team to securely access the server or applications running on it over the Internet.

A good hosting company will provide the flexibility to rent your server and licences based on your needs, renting more licences when you need to grow or less when not required, you should always avoid companies that will tie you in to long contracts.

As you are renting licences you are always entitled to the latest version, which means no more frustration when the operating system goes end of life. The hosting provider should be securely backing up your data, patching your server with critical updates, maintaining Anti-Virus and basically providing all the support an IT department would for an on-site server.

Obviously every company is different, so your hosting company needs to be flexible and innovative to provide the right solution to your company needs. For expert advice from cloud hosting specialists about the options after Windows 2003 go to http://www.yourofficeanywhere.co.uk

Enjoyed this? Read more from Your Office Anywhere

Latest news

1

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year John Jones

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year

03 Jul 2025

2

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth Additive manufacturing technology unit At Airframe Designs

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth

03 Jul 2025

3

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud James Cole

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud

03 Jul 2025

4

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

5

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin