Windows 7 and Windows Server OS 2008 reached their official end of life back in January of 2020. That means Microsoft will no longer support these products. The problem is many businesses haven’t taken the time to upgrade these products and may even be running earlier versions of Windows Server OS.
Computer servers are the backbones of business IT networks. If they become compromised or bogged down, it can be a disaster. If you have servers in need of upgrades—especially machines running old versions of Windows Server OS—the time to act may be sooner than you think.
We certainly hope you aren’t still running Windows Server 2003, but if you are, then you really need this advice! If you have devices running out-of-date versions of Windows Server OS, it is time to schedule some upgrades. Benefits include better speed, improved security, and more features.
But it may not be just the server software that needs updating. If your hardware is several years old, you may need to upgrade or replace the hardware or the entire server itself. It’s important to assess your hardware to determine what can stay (with new software) and what needs to go.
5 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Servers
Server upgrades can be a hassle, but not upgrading your servers can be much, much, worse. Here are some very good indications that it is time to upgrade your out-of-date Windows server:
1. Slow or Sluggish Access or File Transfers
Let’s face it. Old servers are bound to be slower and more sluggish, particularly if they are running on old hardware. That slowness can impede your employees from doing their jobs, or in the least, provide extra levels of frustration that aren’t helping with their productivity. Plus, even one server that is bogged down could potentially negatively affect the rest of your IT network. It’s just not worth it to drag the whole system down.
2. A Server Upgrade Means Improved Cybersecurity
Old servers with software that is no longer officially supported are a major security risk. If you have an old server still up and running, you are playing a dangerous game with your network. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent as well as more devious. For cybersecurity reasons alone, it is important to keep your Windows Server updated with the latest stable software and security patches.
3. Upgrades Mean New Features
While the basics of server software are pretty consistent over the years, new server versions do offer additional features. For example, when Microsoft launched Windows Server 2019, it provided a number of new features, such as Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) with powerful anti-malware protection that could instantly block many malicious cyberattacks.
Another new addition was the Storage Migration Service, designed to make it easier to migrate from older Windows servers to newer operating systems. Azure cloud functionality was also included.
4. An Upgrade Can Save You Money
It may not seem obvious at first, but older computer hardware wastes money. How so? Well, older machines are simply not as energy efficient as new models. They take more energy to run. They also tend to overheat more. This means you need to spend more money on cooling systems to keep your server room from overheating. Never mind the maintenance costs of an old, constantly crashing server.
5. A Server Upgrade Improves Scalability
If your network is starting to have issues with performance, it could be that old servers are holding it back. If ancient hardware doesn’t have the CPU horsepower or sufficient memory to do the job right, no amount of new software can help it. In these cases, equipment may need an upgrade before the latest version of Windows Server is installed. Either way, a server that can’t handle a high load of traffic is not going to scale with your business. But a new one can.
Do You Need Help with Windows Server Upgrades?
One of the main reasons businesses (especially small businesses) don’t upgrade their servers is lack of staff to handle it. Fortunately, CDS Office Technologies is here to help. We offer a wide range of IT solutions, including managed technology services, and a complete line of powerful servers. Whether you need rack-mount or tower servers, we can help, and we partner with the best brands such as Lenovo and HP. We can also set you up with a reliable and scalable storage area network (SAN). Our certified technicians can help with overall strategy as well as implementation. Just let us know what you need!
As cybersecurity and IT experts, CDS Office Technologies is a leading provider of managed technology services in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. Contact us today for a consultation!
