By Kevin Panteli, Director of ITAM Development & Consulting Services at Siwel Consulting, Inc.
Unlike the end of Windows XP Support last year, the end of Windows Server 2003 Support on July 14 has garnered far less media attention. One analyst listed the Windows 2003 end-of-life at just 5 percent coverage compared to that of Windows XP.
Although Windows Server 2003 installations estimate between 3-11 million lower than Windows XP installations last year, does that mean it has less impact? No. Some experts believe it could become the biggest security risk of the year.
So, why the concern?
- The original release was 12 years ago while the R2 release was nine years ago. With no updates, patches, or support going forward, security and performance become critical.
- Windows 2003 is 32-bit software while Microsoft’s suggested replacement, Windows 2012, is 64-bit. Application and product migrations could be a challenge and might require new purchases or contracts.
- If your environment mandates the use of supported technology, this becomes an issue.
- If you are running an aged OS, your hardware is probably outdated. This means poor performance and an increasing risk of maintenance downtime.
- If you still have Windows 2003 in your environment, or if you’re unsure of what you’re running, your software and hardware lifecycle management processes may need attention.
If you’re struggling with the above, unsure of where your environment stands, or if you’re looking to refresh your discovery tools or to better maintain your CMDB, the Siwel Consulting IT Asset Management team can help. Please contact us at info@siwel.com for assistance.
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