Why this project is happening
Several infrastructure platforms are reaching end of vendor support, creating increased security, compliance, and operational risk.
This program focuses on:
- Windows Server 2016
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016
- Ubuntu 20.x
Applications running on these platforms must be upgraded, migrated, or replaced before vendor support ends.
Systems included
Your application may be contacted if it is running a Microsoft Windows Server 2016 operating system or prior.
Additionally, the project team is assisting customers using Microsoft SQL Server 2016 or Ubuntu 20.x.
Project Goals
The objectives of this effort are to:
- Reduce security and compliance risk
- Maintain vendor support
- Improve platform stability and performance
- Standardize supported operating systems and database platforms
- Minimize application downtime through coordinated planning
What application owners need to do
Application owners are responsible for:
- Confirming application ownership and technical contacts
- Determining the preferred migration strategy
- Coordinating required application testing
- Participating in implementation planning
- Performing user acceptance testing (UAT)
- Providing production migration approval
Supported migration strategies
Depending on your application, one or more of the following approaches may be appropriate:
In-place Upgrade
The existing server is upgraded to a supported operating system.
Best suited for:
- Simple applications
- Minimal architectural changes
- Applications certified for in-place upgrade
Parallel Build / Migration
A new server is built while the existing server remains online.
Typical process:
- New server is provisioned
- Firewall rules and required networking are configured
- Application installed
- Data migrated
- Validation completed
- DNS or application cutover performed
- Legacy server retired
Decommission
Examples include:
-
No longer needed/used
-
Re-platforming
- Move to Azure Enterprise Cloud (AEC)
- Move to AWS Secure Enterprise Cloud (SEC)
- Move to a newer database platform
- Containerization
- Migration to managed services
-
Replace
-
Some applications may be replaced with newer vendor-supported solutions rather than upgraded.
What platform services will provide
Platform Services will:
- Inventory affected systems
- Coordinate project planning
- Build new servers when required
- Perform operating system upgrades where appropriate
- Coordinate Windows, SQL, and Ubuntu infrastructure activities
- Schedule maintenance windows
- Assist with production cutovers
- Decommission legacy infrastructure after successful migration
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The operating system or database platform is approaching or has reached end of vendor support.
Most applications will require a planned maintenance window. The duration depends on the migration strategy selected.
No. Remaining on unsupported operating systems creates security, compliance, and supportability risks.
The application owner, in partnership with Platform Services, any required infrastructure teams, and possibly vendors where applicable.
Please engage your vendor as early as possible. Platform Services will work with your team to evaluate available options and develop a remediation plan.
Need Assistance?
For project questions or to discuss your application’s migration strategy:
- Open a ServiceNow incident requesting assistance with Windows Server 2016 / SQL Server 2016 / Ubuntu 20 Upgrade
- Contact the assigned Platform Services project manager: Jenny Lin