Extended support for SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 is coming to an end 9^th of July 2019.

On 12^th of July 2018 Microsoft announced the end of free extended support for SQL 2008, and on the 9^th of July 2019, 2008 R2 support will end. The end of this support and security updates from Microsoft means that systems are vulnerable to outside threats and aren’t compliant with industry regulations such as GDPR. 

What are my options?

Here are the options available to keep your infrastructure secure:

• Upgrade to SQL Server 2017 – this will ensure you can gain access to the latest features of SQL server and continue to receive regular security updates
• Purchase Extended Security Updates at 75% of the full licence cost of the latest version of SQL Server, and continue to receive workload protection
• Consolidate and migrate and SQL servers over to Azure – Microsoft will continue to protect SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 IaaS servers running in Azure at no additional cost until July 2022. We can help consolidate any existing SQL instances before migrating to the cloud to maximise your performance and ROI.
• Migrate and upgrade SQL workloads to Azure SQL Databases (database as-a-Service) or SQL Managed Instances – there is the opportunity to migrate and upgrade on-premises workloads to a managed solution in Azure

For SQL licences with active Software Assurance, there is also the ability to leverage licence mobility and make use of those existing licences in Azure with the Hybrid-Use Benefit (HUB) – this can be applied to IaaS instances as well as PaaS. 

The HUB can also be applied to reserved instances, reducing your Azure / SQL migration costs.

For any of the desired solutions above, a Softcat licensing specialist can advise on the relevant steps necessary to make the relevant changes.

Get in touch

Although licensing end-of-support can require difficult decisions to be made, Softcat are well positioned to help you through advice and implementation, from beginning to end. Simply contact your Softcat Account Manager to arrange a call, or get in touch using the button below, and we will work with you ensure a smooth transition.