June 18, 2024 IT asset management platform Lansweeper has issued a warning to enterprise administrators regarding the age of their Microsoft SQL Server instances. The company’s recent scan of over a million SQL Server instances revealed that 19.8% are now unsupported by Microsoft. This issue underscores the potential risks and challenges of relying on outdated software for business-critical processes.

Nearly 20% of SQL Server instances are no longer supported by Microsoft. 12% of instances are running SQL Server 2014, which will lose extended support on July 9. This will increase the proportion of unsupported servers to 32%. SQL Server 2008 and earlier versions still account for a significant number of instances, with SQL Server 2008 at nearly 8%.

Inconsistent approaches to backward compatibility in the past have made upgrades difficult. Instances of SQL Server 7 were still found during the scan.

Businesses often hesitate to allocate funds for updates, preferring to maintain systems that are perceived as functioning adequately. Outdated versions miss out on bug fixes, new features, and enhanced security capabilities offered by newer versions.

Dave Stokes, Technology Evangelist at Percona, highlighted that while maintaining older systems might seem convenient, it poses risks and limits the capabilities of developers and DBAs. He emphasized the need for proactive updates to avoid future vulnerabilities and capitalize on advancements in database technology.

Roel Decneut, chief strategy officer at Lansweeper, pointed out that businesses often upgrade only when faced with significant vulnerabilities. He stressed the importance of addressing legacy systems despite the focus on newer technologies like cloud computing and AI.