Microsoft confirms end of extended support for SQL Server 2005

Lifecycle Management is a normal evolution in an IT professional’s existence. The day comes when every piece of software must be upgraded as technologies change and better solutions become available.

If your company continues to use and support SQL Server 2005 then you need to be aware that the march is in the final stages and 12 April 2016 is a date you need to mark on your calendars.

According to a blog post from T.K. Rengarajan, the Corporate Vice President for Data Platforms at Microsoft, all versions of SQL Server 2005 will reach the end of extended support just one year from now.

A year sounds like plenty of time to plan your migration, but, depending on the type of application, the migration destination, the scale of the move and resources allocated, migrations can take several months. In addition to SQL Server 2005, you may have heard that support for Windows Server 2003 is ending soon. As you plan your SQL Server migration, you should also plan your infrastructure migration to get the most out of our modern platform. Planning now will ensure that you are able to make the move in time and Microsoft is here to help you in that process.

Microsoft is not just going to tell there an expiration date for support and leave you hanging though. They are also providing several resources to help you get started in planning this close out of SQL Server 2005.

Using the moniker of Discover, Target and Upgrade they break things down in three elements and point you towards tools for each piece:

- Discover: Determine which applications are running on SQL Server 2005 and make the case for an upgrade. Assess your current IT infrastructure with the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit.

- Target: Choose a migration on destination for each application whether on-premises, virtualized or in the cloud. Get a free trial of SQL Server 2014 and Microsoft Azure.

- Upgrade: Plan your upgrade, whether you do it yourself or collaborate with a partner. Upgrade yourself with the SQL Server 2014 upgrade technical guide or Azure SQL Database Migration Wizard or Find a partner to support your upgrade.

For more information and to read about other Microsoft customers who have made the move to SQL Server 2014 be sure to visit the full blog post.