SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 End of Support Reminder
SQL Server 2000. About six month ago on April 9‚ 2013 Extended Support for SQL Server 2000 came to an end. Microsoft no longer provides assisted support‚ security updates or hotfixes for SQL Server 2000 unless a custom support agreement is in place.
SQL Server 2005. On April 12‚ 2011‚ SQL Server 2005 transitioned from Mainstream Support to Extended Support. Extended Support includes paid support‚ security updates‚ and paid hotfix support. Extended Support for SQL Server 2005 will come to an end on April 12, 2016.
What Are Your Options?
- Run SQL Server 2000 unsupported with access to Self-Help Online Support only (not recommended) or incur the cost of a potential custom support agreement.
- Remain on SQL Server 2005 with Extended Support‚ receive security updates‚ and open paid support incidents to receive support.
- Upgrade to a fully supported version of SQL Server.
Why Upgrade?
- Using unsupported software can present potential security‚ support‚ and business risks.
- Running a fully supported version of SQL Server can help you improve the availability and performance of your application platform and save money. According to a Forrester study*‚ upgrading to SQL Server 2012 can deliver an anticipated ROI of between 149% and 189% with a projected 12 to 13 month payback period*.
Next steps
- Identify old SQL Server installations in your infrastructure using the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) toolkit. Get recommendations for SQL Server consolidation and virtualization planning.
- Get familiar with the new SQL Server 2012 SP1 which provides new functionality‚ significant availability and performance improvements‚ and impressive BI capabilities. A detailed comparison of SQL Server 2012 to previous SQL Server versions can be found here.
- Plan your upgrade. Use free** SQL Server Deployment planning Services if you have Software Assurance benefits.
**SQL Server Deployment Planning Services is a Software Assurance benefit. Please find more information about SQL DPS services at www.aka.ms/DeploySQL.
Key resources to help evaluate SQL Server 2012 and plan your upgrade
SQL Server 2012 product information
- What's New in SQL Server 2012
- New features by version (SQL Server 2000‚ 2005‚ 2008‚ 2008R2‚ 2012)
- SQL Server 2012 Editions comparison
- SQL Server 2012 Customer Evidence
- Try SQL Server 2012
Tools and upgrade guidelines
- Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit for SQL Server 2012
- MSDN: How to Upgrade to SQL Server 2012
- TechNet: Upgrading to SQL Server 2012
- SQL Server 2012 Upgrade Advisor
- SQL Server 2012 Upgrade Technical Guide
- SQL Server 2012 Product Guide
- SQL Server Support Lifecycle
SQL Server Deployment Planning Services and Software Assurance
- About Deployment Planning Services: www.aka.ms/DeploySQL
- Partners who are eligible to provide these services https://www.aka.ms/SQLPSP
- Check your Software Assurance benefits
Learning Resources
- Microsoft Virtual Academy
- SQL Server virtual Labs
- Microsoft SQL Server2012 Training
- SQL Server LinkedIn online community in Canada www.aka.ms/CanSQL