Is your SQL Server version still supported?

Today companies rely on software to ensure their products and services can be made, sold and maintained the right way. This makes software crucial for their business.

Luckily the software vendors provide support, so in case of issues/bugs/security gaps they’re ready to help and limit impact. However, as technology is constantly evolving, new versions of the software releases and old versions will get deprecated after a while.

 

What about Microsoft SQL Server support?

The same goes up for Microsoft SQL Server. From the initial release, each version is supported for a minimum of 10 years (according to Microsoft). Those 10 years are divided in 2 types of support:

  • Mainstream support: the full support, mostly for the 5 first years after release, including functional, performance, scalability and security updates.
  • Extended support: comes after mainstream support and provides limited support:
    • Includes Security updates
    • Only available when having Software Assurance or subscription licenses, you can buy the additional Extended Support.
    • No bug fixes
    • No new features, functional improvements or customer-requested fixes

 

Microsoft SQL Server Product and Lifecycle Information

To check if your version is still supported, check the Product and Lifecycle Information from Microsoft: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/?products=sql-server.

Just for informational purposes we provide the support dates as published by Microsoft on July 19th 2021 (always check the Microsoft website for official and latest dates):

Microsoft SQL Server version Mainstream End Date Extended End Date Support info link
2012 11/07/2017 12/07/2022 Support Dates 2012
2014 09/07/2019 09/07/2024 Support Dates 2014
2016 13/07/2021 14/07/2026 Support Dates 2016
2017 11/10/2022 12/10/2027 Support Dates 2017
2019 07/01/2025 08/01/2030 Support Dates 2019

 

All older versions (like 2008) which are not in this table, do not have the Mainstream of Extended support anymore. Also check one of our previous blog posts “SQL Server 2008: end of support” for more information.

 

What if you need to run an older version?

If due to circumstances, your database still has to run an older version, there are the following options:

  • Migrate your older version to Azure
    • If you still have a Software Assurance license, Microsoft offers the possibility to host your workload on Azure Virtual Machine. They offer Extended Security Updates for a maximum of 3 years at no extra cost compared to standard Azure VM prices (depending on the version used, check the Product and Lifecycle Information from Microsoft).
    • A second possibility within Azure is to move the workload to Azure SQL Database Managed Instance. This does not require extensive security updates because this is a fully managed solution.
  • For customers who would like to stay on-premises and need extra time to upgrade to a newer version, a maximum of 3 years extended security can be purchased (depending on the version used, check the Product and Lifecycle Information from Microsoft). But this option is only available for customers with a Software Assurance license, which needs to be paid annually.

 

Any questions or doubts about how this will impact your Microsoft SQL Server environment? Missing some additional details? Just ask us for more information via phone: +32 3 450 67 89 or via e-mail: info@monin-it.be

 

Some interesting links: