Today, Windows Server 2003 is no longer a viable option, and running it poses significant security risks. Microsoft ceased providing updates and patches for this server operating system after June 14, 2015. Consequently, businesses still relying on Windows Server 2003 must act promptly to protect their IT infrastructure.
Migration Options
If you have made a decision to migrate your servers from Windows Server 2003 to the any other version, you need to understand what options you have. Mentioned below are three of the best options you have available, which you will have to choose from to ensure you experience no complications in the long run:
- 1.Transfer the roles and services of the old server to a new server.
- 2.Update the operating system without changing the hardware
- 3.Take advantage of cloud computing and load all your services on the cloud.
New Hardware and New Operating System
If you have the resource, it is better to buy a new server and install the latest version of any server operating system. This will not only give a significant boost in performance, but can also minimise the risk of hardware failure. Furthermore, the latest version of a good operating system gives you an option to run a host of applications both old and new on your server.
New Operating System on Existing Hardware
If you want a quick fix, hassle free solution, installing the latest version of an operating system such as Windows Server 2012 on your existing hardware is also a smart and hassle free option. Do not forget to transfer the roles, file permissions, and important applications on the new server. This option saves you from buying new hardware, which will increase your expenses. It is also a good choice for those who do not have enough resources to buy new server hardware.
Switching to Cloud
With the rise of cloud-based services, you can also use cloud platforms to load all your services, especially if you are moving your servers to a hosted environment. This migration requires some technical expertise to be executed successfully. Therefore, it is important that you hire software experts who can do this for you.
Step By Step Approach
Migrating your server from Windows Server 2003 to a newer operating system is a systematic process. Here are some steps that are required for the migration.
- Planning
- Identifying needs
- Important risk factors
- Target
- Implementation
To succeed in today’s rapidly changing business world, you need to keep up with this competitive environment and the technology that comes with it, always stay one-step ahead of the competition.
