MS Windows Server 2003

Migrate or extend?

Mainstream support for the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system ended in July 2010 and extended support will end in July 2015. Now is the time for organisations still reliant on Windows 2003 to actively consider their strategy in time for its end of life.

Key strategic drivers

• No further service packs, security updates or patches
• Withdrawal of vendor support
• Security, compliance and corporate risk
• Escalating support costs
• Application compatibility
• Performance and functionality
• Aging underlying hardware

The challenge

Our people understand the complex technical and operational challenges you face when enterprise applications and operating systems reach end of life. Our Windows Server 2003 solution has been specifically developed with those challenges in mind.

• Asset inventory
• Moving from a 32 to 64 bit architecture
• Identifying and resolving server dependencies
• Active Directory and application upgrades
• Legacy application compatibility
• Application testing
• Retraining of technical staff

The solution

To assist in the delivery of your strategic objectives, SCC offers its customers two complementary options: migrate or extend. Our consultative approach enables you to discover and analyse the extent of your Windows Server 2003 estate and dependent services. We will then establish and execute a plan to migrate away from the platform, decommissioning or upgrading associated infrastructure, or extend the life of Windows Server 2003 by hardening your infrastructure and decommissioning redundant assets as necessary. Option 1: Migrate As one of Microsoft’s leading migration partners in the UK, SCC is experienced in in helping organisations define and deliver successful, business aligned migration strategies. We are able to recommend the most appropriate technology to replace Windows Server 2003 and, where appropriate, identify opportunities to upgrade, consolidate or decommission dependent services. Option 2: Extend While our recommended approach is the migration of dependent services away from Windows Server 2003, we understand that this may not be immediately possible. To assist with the challenges of in-house application dependencies, budget constraints and resource management, we can help you extend your installations of Windows Server 2003 beyond July 2015. By implementing a set of comprehensive controls to reduce the attack vectors that could be exploited by unauthorised users, we mitigate the risk of infection by computer viruses and malware. This is achieved by first understanding the risk profile and adopting a tailored defence-in-depth approach that limits system entry points, removed unnecessary functionality and introduces additional security measures.