As you know that Microsoft will be stopping Windows 2003 extended support on 15th July 2015. So it is time to move from this operating system. This is one of the most used OS in the All Industry and yet system admin /IT managers will be ready to move because of various pain points like legacy application.
I am trying to give you jump start to think about this project and will write more
Success of any migration is depend on
1. Management Support
2. Thorough Planning
3. Selection of right methodology that suit to your environment.
4. Proper execution and implementation
First we need to check with
customer
# The classification
of application - Business critical and less critical applications used in the
organization and so Server.
# The Windows 2003
servers that they need to migrate due to security compliance, industry
standards and other reasons.
# What is type of New operating system they are looking for as per application usage in the
organization… customer may go with completely new application so at this movement they may
not able worry on immediate server upgrade, they may have plan to completely build new Server
organization… customer may go with completely new application so at this movement they may
not able worry on immediate server upgrade, they may have plan to completely build new Server
based on Windows 2012 r2 and
new application….
But may worry on Hardware
failure – (In this case we can suggest P2V so that customer may be
worry free on hardware front)
worry free on hardware front)
One of Experts say - There is no single solution that will address all
scenarios, the best practice is to establish
a combination of approaches based on a risk management analysis.
Broad level approach
should be
·
New hardware
·
Virtualization
·
Application
migration
·
Consolidation
4.
The following
methods are available
·
New hardware
A.
Upgrade Windows 2003
Server to Windows 2008 OS (By using same hardware or even New Hardware)
1.
The product life
cycle is available - http://support2.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?sort=PN&alpha=windows+server+2008&Filter=FilterNO
2.
We must check
Hardware compatibility - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb414778
3.
Before going with
this path first check Application compatibility from Apps vendor on Windows
2008 OS.
4.
Follow standard
process of server upgrade
Or
Even
We can follow approach stated in step D but with OS Windows 2008 and do
the application migration which will be having same 32 bit platform
B.
Upgrade
Windows 2003 Server to Windows 2012 R2 OS
Direct upgrade path is not possible due to Hardware
compatibility issue as Windows
2012 R2 is 64 bit platform OS.
So in this case we have to follow approach mentioned in
Step D
·
Virtualization
C.
Upgrade Windows 2003
Server to Windows 2008 OS (By using P2V)
a.
First migrate the
Windows 2003 physical server to Virtual by using P2V tools
b.
Then upgrade OS to
Windows 2008 as mentioned in Step A.
With
this approach is more safe as in case of upgrade failure we can restore
snapshot (Or even can take full backup of VM) and restore to original.
·
Application
migration
D.
New Windows 2012 R2
installation on new hardware and application migration from old Server to new
one
a.
Application
Compatibility – Some of application may not work on latest Windows 2012 R2 as
it is 64 bit platform,
b.
Check overall
upgrade path from Windows 2003 to Windows 2012 R2
·
Consolidation
E.
We can consolidate
the applications by looking into its current usage by using one of
application migration approach.
There are product and services are available in the market
Services provided by company like Dell or IT outsourcing companies in India
MS reference
I will update more from my experience from the projects.
Wish you all the best.
Thanks
Vijay
