Standard support for Windows 2000 runs out at the end of
this month, leaving businesses that run the Microsoft server
product with a choice between paying for extended support or
upgrading.
Extended support provides a buffer for users who are not ready to
upgrade to later releases of the operating system, but wish to
continue receiving support.
Upgrade options are limited to just one: migrate from Windows 2000
to Windows 2003. Some organisations may be tempted to delay
upgrading and run Windows 2000 with extended support until the next
major Windows release, Longhorn, which is due to ship in
2006.
David Roberts, chief executive of The Corporate IT Forum, said,
"There is no need to jump into an upgrade." The financial arguments
for not upgrading was winning, he said. "IT opinions are having to
shift towards paying for upgrades and maintenance when the business
says it is essential."
Mike Thompson, principal analyst at Butler Group, recommended
upgrading to Windows 2003 rather than waiting for Longhorn.
"Longhorn is not expected until late 2006 and I am not convinced it
will be available in time," he said.
Users would be better off moving to Windows 2003, according to
Thompson. "Windows 2000 is reaching its sell-by date and there is a
lot more functionality in Windows 2003."
In particular, users will need to upgrade to the x64 edition of
Windows 2003 to begin taking advantage of the hybrid 32-bit to
64-bit processor technology in modern PC servers.
The argument to migrate to Windows 2003 will be even stronger,
according to Thompson, when Microsoft begins shipping the interim
operating system release, Windows 2003 R2, later this year.
Mark Tennant, Windows server product marketing manager, said users
should not experience the same level of disruption as some did
during the move from NT4, since Windows 2000 and 2003 are
architecturally similar.
He said, "It is a lot easier to upgrade from Windows 2000 to 2003:
70% of Windows 2003 involved enhancing Windows 2000 by improving
performance and security. The code base is very similar."
Extended support will mean users continue to receive free security
updates for the next five years. But Microsoft is not planning to
develop any non-security related software for Windows 2003. A
version of the forthcoming Internet Explorer 7.0 web browser is not
expected to be available on Windows 2000.