Are you still using Microsoft SQL Server or Windows Server 2008? Did you know that this month Microsoft ended extended support for SQL Server 2008 variants this month? Or, that on January 14, 2020, Microsoft will stop supporting all versions of Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2. This includes Data Center, Enterprise, Foundation, and Standard. If you are still using any release of SQL Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008, now is the time to start planning your migration to a newer version.
On July 9, Microsoft official ended support for all versions of SQL Server 2008. So that version is now officially retired. As we mentioned above, Windows Server 2008 is reaching its end of life at the beginning of next year. At that time Microsoft will no long support this as an operating system. What happens when a Microsoft product reaches its end of life? It means Microsoft will no longer be:
In addition, this also leads to other supporting vendors also pulling support for a retiring version of Windows. This includes Esri and the ArcGIS Platform. Esri stopped listing SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 as a supported database with version 10.3. ArcGIS versions 10.4 and later, require Microsoft SQL Server version 2012 or later. The lasted versions ArcGIS 10.7 and ArcGIS Pro 2.4 also dropping support for SQL Server 2012.
Currently ArcGIS is supports Windows Server 2008 R2. However, that is not lasting long. Esri has already announced that they will stop supporting that version of Windows Server when Microsoft also drops their support on January 14 of next year. This will include the entire Esri product line (ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Enterprise). Click on the links below to verify:
If you are running these older Microsoft products and have not already done so, now is the time to start planning your migration to a newer version. This will allow you to ensure your servers and databases stay more secure as new patches and updates are released that protect against an ever-increasing list of security threats. It also means you will be able to continue to call Microsoft and/or Esri for technical support when you run into issues.
Another option would be to contact Microsoft and request an extended support contract if you are not ready or able to migrate to newer versions of Microsoft products. The do provide extended support for retired products. However, these do cost more money and there are still your other solutions which run on these products to consider.
Tripp Corbin, MCP, GISP | Chief Executive Officer
eGIS Associates, Inc.
an Esri Release Ready & ArcGIS Online Specialty Silver Partner
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