Microsoft has confirmed that Extended Security Updates on-premise for Windows & SQL Server 2008 will officially be launched next month.

From 1st March customers will be able to order Extended Security Updates via Enterprise and Enterprise Subscription Agreements.  The updates will provide customers with up to three years of “critical” rated security updates and bulletins and will be applied immediately after the End of Support date.

In addition to announcing the availability of the updates, Microsoft has also released an updated customer FAQ which amongst other information confirms the below regarding the Extended Security Updates:

  • Extended Security Updates can be bought for 75% of the EA, EAS, or SCE license.
  • The SKUs are sold annually.
  • Estate wide coverage is not required.
  • Customers must have Software Assurance or software subscription.
  • The customer has the ability to add the SKU at any time during a term and prior to End of Service date.
  • You must pay for the full-year term regardless of when they add the offering.
  • If a customer adds the SKU after year 1, they must also order and pay for the previous year(s).

Extended Security Updates are just one option customers have when addressing End of Support. For SQL Server 2008/R2 is 9 July 2019 and for Windows Server 2008/R2 14 January 2020.

Upgrade to the latest or more recent version of Microsoft’s Software.

Either on-premise (new license, Software Assurance) or on Azure (Azure Hybrid Benefit). If staying on-premise, the preferred solution is for customers to upgrade to the latest editions of Windows Server (2019) and SQL Server (2017). The latest edition of these products will reduce the security risk and provide the longest support timeline. However, Microsoft recognise this upgrade may not be possible for all customers, so are offering alternatives in Extended Security Updates on-premise and Extended Security Updates in Azure.

Extended Security Updates in Azure

Customers can move affected 2008 workloads to Azure Virtual Machines (IaaS) and will receive access to Extended Security Updates for three years following End of Support deadlines for free. These workloads can be moved to Azure “as-is” and won’t require upgrading for three years until the Extended Security Updates end. Customers can also use the Azure Hybrid Benefit to take advantage of their existing investment of Licenses and Software Assurance to reduce Azure costs.

Do you still have a SQL 2008 or Windows 2008 environment?

We are currently helping customers remove the risk of unsupported SQL 2008 and Windows 2008 environments by upgrading to supported editions or moving to Microsoft Azure. We have a wealth and depth of experience in successfully procuring, building, deploying and managing on-premise and Azure solutions for many customers in both the public and private sectors. If you would like more information about this and SQL/Windows Server End of Support, please contact your Trustmarque Account Manager or email [email protected]

By Tom McEwing.

Tom is one of our Microsoft Licensing Specialists who advises our customers on how to get the most from their Microsoft volume licensing and contracts.