Whilst at SQLBits I heard a rather shocking statement: Over 80% of the worlds SQL Server instances are still using SQL Server 2000. I say statement because I have had a little trawl round the web and I couldn't find anything to back this number up (or what it included or excluded e.g. MSDE could weigh heavily into this number). However, I think it is fair to say that for one reason or another there is still a large number of users out there chugging along on SQL 2000.
I digress. As I am sure you are now well aware the end is near for SQL Server 2000. April 2008 and its good-bye mainstream support. This did actually get me thinking but on a slightly different track than normal.
I wonder how many of these SQL 2000 instances are using availability features such as clustering and/or are used to support a critical business process?
How many are there because people are too frightened to touch them?
Having a critical system in an unsupported state from the product vendor is not the best availability strategy I am sure you will agree.
However, equally as important is the understanding of that system and what it does and why it is so important to the operation of the business. So I'd say now is the perfect time to reflect on those systems that are falling out of support and ask yourself the following questions:
- What does this system do?
- What business processes does this system support?
- Is it a system that needs a high availability strategy?
- Why aren't we upgrading it?
- Can we afford to be without it?
- If there is an issue with the product what is our coping strategy?
- If I need to deploy this onto new or different hardware how will I do this (make sure you have the media!)?
- How will I buy the licenses for SQL 2000 come May?
If you are using clustering also don't forget that you can cluster SQL Server 2005 standard edition (2 node) and you do not need enterprise edition for this feature.
Note: even if the application itself hasn't changed I am sure the data and the data volumes you push into or through it has changed.
Oh and if you are not sure what you should do then of course conchango are here to help :o)
Cheers, James
P.S. Conchango are recruiting! If you are passionate about Data, SQL Server or Business Intelligence then we'd like to hear from you. Why not contact me and let's have a chat?