On April 12, 2016, Microsoft will totally stop supporting the SQL Server 2005. This is not a new or unexpected development, as it has been on the “extended support” phase of its lifecycle since early 2011. Microsoft is encouraging existing users of this database to migrate to newer versions within the SQL family or to make the switch to Azure.
What will happen now that this version is not being supported? There will be no more security patches for hotfixes for companies that do not already have special arrangements set up with a Microsoft Premier Support. End-of-support can prove to be a real headache for tech departments, as it means the replacement or upgrading of hardware and software, and can also cause a disruption to business.
There is good news though: if you have been upgrading your Windows Server 2003, you have most likely already replaced SQL Server 2005 already. This process has forced many businesses and firms to take a hard look at everything they have and the opportunity for system-wide upgrades. As the old Windows Server 2003 instances were retired, so were the installs of SQL Server 2005. On the other hand, there is a huge amount of both Windows Server 2003 and SQL Server 2005 still out there – it has been estimated that one in six of the existing 13-15 million estimated Windows Server 2003 installations have SQL Server 2005 on them as well.
What Are the Benefits of Upgrading From SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2014?
There has never been a better time for an upgrade. Users will benefit from the dramatic performance gains, higher availability and scalability, and rich BI capabilities.
- High Availability – The 9’s you need with availability and disaster recovery with Always On
- Incredible In-Memory Performance – Proven 13x higher OLTP performance than SQL Server 2005 plus additional in-memory OLTP delivering up to 30x more performance
- Scalability – Scalable across compute, networking, and storage with Windows Server 2012 R2 and up to 640 logical processors
- Security – Supported and compliant database platform
- Easier access to both big and small data for insights
- Powerful insights with already familiar tools, such as Microsoft Office and the cloud
- Modernized data platform and infrastructure for maximum performance at low TCO
- Hybrid cloud scenarios for on-premises and cloud usage
- Fast development, management, and deployment of on-ramp to cloud
A Potentially Pain-Free Migration
There are two steps that must be taken when making a SQL Server migration – the database itself, followed by the apps that are built on the database. If it is only a database upgrade, the process is obviously a lot faster than a full server upgrade; the lion share of efforts are within the applications, as there might be code changes required. You can read more about upgrading on the Microsoft website.
The best option when dealing with and meeting the challenges of these older databases is to use a company that is experienced in all versions of SQL Server and can guide you in your decision process. At Spinnaker Support, our seasoned professionals are experienced in both older and the most updated versions of Microsoft SQL Server. Contact us today to get started on upgrading your server!
