Modernise with the latest versions of Windows Server on HPE Gen10

Benefit from improved security, greater efficiency, and access to the cloud.

End of Support for Windows 2008 has come to an end.

Windows Server^® 2008 has been one of Microsoft^®’s most popular offerings ever. In fact, a huge percentage of the Microsoft installed base is still running Windows Server 2008. But, it was really designed for a different era. In the last 10 years, cybersecurity, cloud computing, composability, and container technology have all become enormously important. And they all require a modern operating system (OS).

Windows Server 2008 End of Support

Microsoft has announced the End of Support (EoS) for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, effective January 14, 2020.

After January 14, 2020

Customers still running Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will face:

• No free support

• No free security updates

• No feature updates

The business risk of running Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 after EoS:

• Increased exposure to major vulnerabilities and cybersecurity attacks on systems, databases, and application

• Discontinued support for many commercial applications and tools

• Mounting operational expenses

The Risk of Doing Nothing

Many organisations are subject to regulations that require them to run on a secure, supported operating system. So, even if they’re confident in the stability of this legacy platform, they won’t have the option of continued use. In addition, many application vendors are likely to drop support for the older versions of software that run on this unsupported operating system. And of course, the cost of supporting legacy systems is typically much higher than new technology. But there’s one specific concern that surpasses them all… Security.

Security Concerns

Windows Server 2008 was created before the era of rampant cybercrime, so many of the safeguards we take for granted today didn’t exist. On average, hackers can take control of a data center in under 48 hours,¹ and go undetected for more than 197 days,² causing millions of dollars in damage and putting businesses at risk. Gen10 protection with the Silicon Root of Trust combined with Windows Server features like Credential Guard and Device Guard provides unmatched protection against these cyberattacks. Since Windows Server 2008 runs only on legacy hardware, those systems are much more vulnerable to attack.

The Benefits

In addition to cybercrime protection, new systems are significantly more efficient. With Windows Server 2008, virtual machines consume so much CPU and memory that only a small number of VMs can run on each physical server. With modern Windows Server technology, it’s possible to run hundreds or thousands of containers on each server. Fewer servers = lower costs and less complexity.

Old servers play a large role in rising IT costs because they drive up the #1 cost issue for most data centers: software license and support fees. Moving to the latest HPE Gen10 servers will help control this significant expense. Since most software is licensed according to the number of processor cores:

faster servers = fewer cores = lower software license costs.

The Better Alternative

When a legacy Windows Server 2008 environment is modernised on HPE Gen10 Servers with a current version of Windows Server, you get the added security against cybercrime, the efficiency of cost‑saving technologies, and the benefits of a hybrid cloud platform. Exciting HPE products like Synergy, SimpliVity, and the Apollo System for AI and Deep Learning provide powerful tools so that you can successfully address the IT challenges that were never imagined back in 2008. It’s time to move forward.

Speak to a Specialist today to learn more on how to upgrade

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