What does End of Support Mean?
This is the final milestone in Microsoft's Fixed Lifecycle Policy. It means that Microsoft will no longer be rolling out security updates or patches for products that have reached this stage. Paid Support will also no longer be an option.
Effectively, these products become obsolete.
Microsoft's Fixed Lifecycle Policy
- End of Sale – Microsoft no longer offers the product for purchase. Support, patches, and security updates for the product are still offered.
- End of Mainstream Support – New security releases, service packs, builds, fixes, and patches are no longer offered automatically. New releases usually last for the first 5 years of a product's life.
- Paid Support – Microsoft can extend support for those who choose to pay for it. However, warranty support requests or requests for design changes or new features will not be accepted.
- End of Support – Microsoft will no longer be rolling out security updates or patches for products that have reached this stage. Paid Support will also no longer be an option.
How Does This Effect You?
You should think of your server as the brain of your business. It houses your data, lines of business software, and applications. Everything you use to make your business work. Relying on a server that has reached its End of Support milestone can lead to risks and issues in three major areas.
Security, Compatibility, and Support
Security
There's a big risk
Security updates and patches are an important line of defense against cyber threats. Without regular updates and patches you leave your network vulnerable to:
- Exploits
- Malware
- Phishing Attacks
- Social Engineering Attacks
- Data Breaches
Causing business and customer data to be lost, stolen, or sold on the Dark Web.
Compatibility
Tools become obsolete
The programs, applications, and tools you use are vital to making your business successful. Trying to run these items on a server that as reached EOS can lead to:
- Loss of functionality
- Inability to use new versions of software
- Inability to use new hardware
- Increase in possibility of unseen expenses
Causing productivity to slow, and increasing the likelihood of employee frustration.
Support
It's a thing of the past
This is two fold. When you continue utilizing a server after EOS you lose the support for the actual machine you purchased from Microsoft. You also lose support for your Line of Business applications. This occurs because:
- Microsoft has deferred time and resources to new products
- Application designers focus on innovating towards new technologies
Causing you to be on your own when it comes to issues with security and compatibility.
Why You Shouldn't Wait to Upgrade
You take your business seriously. You believe in the the products and services that you provide your customers and you want to continue to serve them to the best of your ability, while keeping your data (and theirs) safe.
To accomplish this you need equipment that works properly, keeps you secure, and is fully supported by the manufacturer.
LammTech recommends purchasing new hardware or migrating to the cloud.
Waiting to upgrade can leave you vulnerable to significant security complications as well as loss of time, productivity, and profit.