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Windows 2008 vs 2012
Posted on 2016-08-30
Having finally decided on a hosting company for remote access (via RDP) to my client/server application, I'm now putting together a quote for my client and one issue keeps "nagging at me", should I move on to Windows 2012 Server OS with SQL Server 2012 or stick with what I'm already familiar with, Windows Server 2008 R2 with SQL Server 2008 R2? During my search for a hosting company, it appears that Microsoft is pushing their 2012 version (what else is new?) and that, in time, 2012 may be the only option available. Does anyone have any strong opinions on either version (pros and cons) and/or any suggestions for me to resolve my small dilemma? Personally, I'd like to stick with 2008 R2, but I need RDS CALs (which are NOT compatible between versions) and how long will 2008 R2 stay on Microsoft "life support"? -OR- Am I totally overthinking on this one?
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13 Comments
Active today
What's the anticipated lifespan of your service/server?
Windows Server 2008 R2 - end of extended support January 2020. (A little more than 3 years away)
Windows Server 2012 R2 - end of extended support January 2023.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle?c2=1163
Windows Server 2008 R2 - end of extended support January 2020. (A little more than 3 years away)
Windows Server 2012 R2 - end of extended support January 2023.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle?c2=1163
Active today
Mainstream support for Windows server 2008R2 has already ended on 1/13/2015. Extended support will end on 1/14/2020.
For SQL this is 7/8/2014 and 7/9/2019.
The choice seems obvious If you're setting up a new server?
For SQL this is 7/8/2014 and 7/9/2019.
The choice seems obvious If you're setting up a new server?
Active today
We have dumped most all Server 2008 (a couple of non-DC/AD servers left) and moved to Server 2012R2 all around.
There is no point (in my opinion) sticking with Server 2008. Server 2012 is not that much harder to learn.
There is no point (in my opinion) sticking with Server 2008. Server 2012 is not that much harder to learn.
Active today
It is a server so I do not worry about things that consumers might use (although everyone may have their own preferences).
I do add a start menu as I do on all post Windows 7 systems (already included in the OS)
Right Click on the Taskbar
Select Toolbar, New Toolbar
Add the following content in the space provided:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
Save the toolbar. It should call itself Programs.
I do add a start menu as I do on all post Windows 7 systems (already included in the OS)
Right Click on the Taskbar
Select Toolbar, New Toolbar
Add the following content in the space provided:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\W
Save the toolbar. It should call itself Programs.
Active today
SQL Server 2008 R2 ends support a little bit earlier -- July 2019, a little less than 3 years.
SQL Server 2012 ends support in July 2022
SQL Server 2014 ends support in July 2024
SQL Server 2016 ends support in July 2026
Windows Server 2008 R2 with SQL 2008 R2
Pros: You're more familiar with the environment
Cons: Less secure than Windows Server 2012 (overall), shorter remaining life
Windows Server 2012 R2 with SQL 2012
Pros: More secure than 2008 R2, longer remaining life, and smaller anticipated winsxs
Cons: Learning curve involved.
Personally, I'd lean heavily towards the newer operating systems and dbms, and plan to start looking at Windows Server 2016 which should be out fairly soon.
SQL Server 2012 ends support in July 2022
SQL Server 2014 ends support in July 2024
SQL Server 2016 ends support in July 2026
Windows Server 2008 R2 with SQL 2008 R2
Pros: You're more familiar with the environment
Cons: Less secure than Windows Server 2012 (overall), shorter remaining life
Windows Server 2012 R2 with SQL 2012
Pros: More secure than 2008 R2, longer remaining life, and smaller anticipated winsxs
Cons: Learning curve involved.
Personally, I'd lean heavily towards the newer operating systems and dbms, and plan to start looking at Windows Server 2016 which should be out fairly soon.
Active 2 days ago
If you want any kind of high-availability solution, absolutely go with Server 2012 and SQL 2012. SQL 2012 introduced Always on Availability Groups (similar to Exchange DAGs), which greatly simplify setup, failover, and availability.
I don't think there's much of a learning curve involved in moving to server 2012, personally. The majority of services have retained similar UIs, and there are a lot of good features for it. RDS deployment is different, since there is a completely separate installation system for the RDS roles, but it's actually better because the UI for managing RDS roles is easier to work with. The core architecture and functionality for RDS hasn't changed at all from 2008 R2 to 2012, so if you understand how RDS functions on 2008, it isn't hard to move that knowledge forward.
Navigating the 2012 UI is actually pretty easy once you realize that right clicking in the lower left hand side of the screen will bring up a menu that will get you almost everywhere you need to go when managing a server. 2012 R2 has a start button, which makes things a little easier. And you can right click on that to get the navigation menu.
I don't think there's much of a learning curve involved in moving to server 2012, personally. The majority of services have retained similar UIs, and there are a lot of good features for it. RDS deployment is different, since there is a completely separate installation system for the RDS roles, but it's actually better because the UI for managing RDS roles is easier to work with. The core architecture and functionality for RDS hasn't changed at all from 2008 R2 to 2012, so if you understand how RDS functions on 2008, it isn't hard to move that knowledge forward.
Navigating the 2012 UI is actually pretty easy once you realize that right clicking in the lower left hand side of the screen will bring up a menu that will get you almost everywhere you need to go when managing a server. 2012 R2 has a start button, which makes things a little easier. And you can right click on that to get the navigation menu.
Active today
Personally, I'd like to stick with 2008 R2, but I need RDS CALs (which are NOT compatible between versions) and how long will 2008 R2 stay on Microsoft "life support"? -OR- Am I totally overthinking on this one?
So you want to stick with 6 year old technology? In technology terms it's old. 2016 is going to be released in less than 5 weeks...
Staying with 2008 is not a wise decision in my opinion.
Further, you're incorrect about the RDS CALs. They cover the version they are sold for and earlier versions. You may need to contact Microsoft to downgrade them, but they are downgradable.
So you want to stick with 6 year old technology? In technology terms it's old. 2016 is going to be released in less than 5 weeks...
Staying with 2008 is not a wise decision in my opinion.
Further, you're incorrect about the RDS CALs. They cover the version they are sold for and earlier versions. You may need to contact Microsoft to downgrade them, but they are downgradable.
Active today
Hi,
Yes, you are over-thinking it. Do you really want to be dragged into upgrading in 3 years? If I were you I would just go for the latest OS you can get your hands on, which is 2016 if you just wait a few weeks.
If you don't want the teething pain though, 2012 far outclasses 2008 in most features, so I can't see any good reason to stick with 2008.
Mike
Yes, you are over-thinking it. Do you really want to be dragged into upgrading in 3 years? If I were you I would just go for the latest OS you can get your hands on, which is 2016 if you just wait a few weeks.
If you don't want the teething pain though, 2012 far outclasses 2008 in most features, so I can't see any good reason to stick with 2008.
Mike
Active today
Obviously, everyone agrees, so I guess I need to give an "assisted solution" to everyone who responded! On a personal note, Microsoft really annoys me with all their releases....I would love to recharge my clients the full price of my software every 2 to 3 years, using calendar years in the software name (brilliant!). I do see the advantages of keeping up with current technology provided each "new release" actually provides additional value/functionality. On the other hand, for an application such as my own, that performs perfectly well on their "2008" version, why should I need to keep paying Microsoft for a new version every 4 years when they throw in some changed (hopefully improved) functionality while the version I'm running works perfectly well....just my own "pet peeve" especially with their personal OS versions (7 vs. 8 vs. 8.1 vs. 10)...why? Anyhow, I've just recently been informed that the corporation that's using my software already has a strong commitment to AWS, so all of my recent research is essentially for "naught" since I'll be dealing with Amazon and whatever servers and remote access they provide. I do still want to thank everyone for their comments and, if it weren't for the Amazon connection, I would have taken most everyone's advice and would have gone with Server 2012 (2016 is just a little too new for my tastes...). Thanks!
Active 2 days ago
You don't have to upgrade if what you use runs perfectly well on 2008. You just won't be able to get MS to provide any kind of support if things go boom because the OS borks itself once the version of Windows server you use is older than 10 years of age. But if the new version of windows has a new feature that saves you money, it's usually worth it to upgrade.
FYI: AWS is a more or less cloud-based VM solution. I haven't worked with it yet, but I believe they offer the option of creating VMs that utilize Windows Server on the back end to run whatever applications you want.
FYI: AWS is a more or less cloud-based VM solution. I haven't worked with it yet, but I believe they offer the option of creating VMs that utilize Windows Server on the back end to run whatever applications you want.
Active today
Microsoft does not require you to upgrade with every new release. But there comes a point that supporting older products cost too much. Technology advances. PERIOD. Microsoft provides generally 5 years of main stream support and 5 more of extended support - a total of 10 years. That's a LONG time in technology.
As a developer (it sounds like you are), you should be part of the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) which potentially provides all their software to you for an fairly low and reasonable (considering what you get and what you do, in my opinion) annual fee. As an amateur developer myself and an IT Pro otherwise, it irritates me when companies don't provide their product on the newest versions of Windows, especially considering that the pre-release versions of Windows are all available with MSDN for many months and occasionally years before release - developers should be building and testing on CURRENT platforms.
In my opinion.
As a developer (it sounds like you are), you should be part of the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) which potentially provides all their software to you for an fairly low and reasonable (considering what you get and what you do, in my opinion) annual fee. As an amateur developer myself and an IT Pro otherwise, it irritates me when companies don't provide their product on the newest versions of Windows, especially considering that the pre-release versions of Windows are all available with MSDN for many months and occasionally years before release - developers should be building and testing on CURRENT platforms.
In my opinion.
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