Did you Know…Nearly 20% of Microsoft SQL Servers Are Running Unsupported Versions?

IT asset management platform Lansweeper has issued a warning for enterprise administrators everywhere...

Exactly how old is that Microsoft SQL Server on which your business depends?

A recent scan of over a million instances of SQL Server found that 19.8 percent are now unsupported by Microsoft. Additionally, 12 percent were running SQL Server 2014, which dropped out of extended support on July 9 – meaning as of August, the proportion of unsupported instances will rise to 31.8 percent.

For a fee, customers can continue receiving security updates for SQL Server 2014 for another three years. However, this finding underlines a potential issue facing users of Microsoft's flagship database: many businesses depend on outdated software that should have been retired long ago.

While Microsoft is working hard to get users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, IT administrators are facing a similar but less publicised issue. IT professionals are well aware of the risks of running business-critical processes on outdated software, but persuading the board to allocate funds for updates can be challenging.

The problem of getting people off old versions of SQL Server has persisted for years. The primary reason businesses run a relational database is to build applications on top of it, and the stickiness of those applications causes many to continue using outdated versions.

The inconsistent approach to backward compatibility in past decades has also played a part. Lansweeper's agents have even picked up a few instances of SQL Server 7, and upgrading a database from that version to the latest SQL Server is a daunting task.

Microsoft is not alone in facing the problem of customers sticking with outdated software long after support ends. The adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" often applies in technology as much as anywhere else in life. However, using this mindset as an excuse can lead to avoiding dealing with what can be a challenging problem.

Developers and DBAs alike do not want to be tied to expired database software versions. They miss out on bug fixes and new features that make their lives easier. The issue is not limited to proprietary software; open-source databases also suffer from end-of-life challenges. For example, MySQL version 5.7 reached EOL status last October, yet it still represents a large percentage of systems reported by Percona Monitoring and Management.

At the enterprise level, there isn't much to entice businesses to upgrade. Many basic business applications were built to be robust with few frills. New features being offered often aren't enticing because businesses don't need them; they just need the system to run. However, the business model at Microsoft requires that users move to a new version.

Ultimately, it's only when there's a major vulnerability that the urgency to upgrade becomes clear. The technology industry has a habit of focusing on the new and neglecting the old, which can lead to significant problems. Moving to the cloud and integrating AI are current trends, but many issues still stem from outdated systems that are not given the attention they need.

Contact Venture 1 Consulting Today!

Let our team of experienced professionals help you transition to a supported SQL Server version seamlessly. We offer comprehensive solutions to secure, manage, and optimise your database environment, ensuring your business runs smoothly and efficiently.