Windows Managed Server is dependent on Microsoft’s lifecycle support. This document will review Microsoft’s policy and then cover Windows Managed Server’s policy.

Microsoft lifecycle support

Windows Server long-term servicing channel (LTSC) releases covered by Microsoft’s modern lifecycle policy have a mainstream support lifecycle of 5 years, 5 additional years of extended support, then eligibility to purchase 3 additional years of Extended Security Updates (ESU).

After the mainstream support period has ended, Microsoft will provide support and security updates, but no quality updates, driver updates, or other features can be expected. When a server falls beyond Extended Support without Extended Security Updates or beyond ESU, it is in violation of UW policies, since it can no longer be kept up to date for security vulnerabilities.

More from Microsoft: detailed information on Windows Server modern lifecycle policy. Supplements to that for Windows Server versions in a fixed lifecycle policy: WS2012R2, WS2012 & WS2008R2.

Windows Managed Server lifecycle support

UW Administrative Policy Statements (APS) expect system owners & operators to keep all IT systems updated with vendor supplied security patches. So to be in alignment with UW expectations, operating systems who no longer have security updates are considered in violation of UW expectations.

Windows Managed Server uses the long-term servicing channel (LTSC). Windows Managed Server provisions servers with the latest Windows Server version to maximize the time your server will be supported. In-place operating system upgrades are not supported; OS upgrades require a requesting a new server. Windows Managed Server does not upgrade the OS on existing servers, as there is too much risk associated with such an approach, and the downtime required generally makes it unacceptable. We instead encourage customers to replace existing servers with a new server with a current OS. This approach accommodates testing, and depending on the workload and customer needs, either a phased transition or cutover reduce the downtime required.

When you do not retire a server which has gone beyond extended support and replace it with a current version, UW-IT must purchase an ESU support plan for your server. UW-IT may also need to purchase additional support packages, for example for antivirus support. Any additional costs incurred due to running a server in extended support are passed along to customers.

The Windows Managed Server service uses five categories^[1] to define our support for a given version of Windows Server:

• Emerging: Newest release which we are preparing to support; we aren’t ready to support this version yet and services/support may be subject to consulting rates.
• Baseline: Fully supported and preferred for new server builds.
• Containment: Fully supported for existing servers. Customers should begin making plans to retire and replace with a server in Baseline.
• Retirement: Scheduled for end-of-life. Customers are actively executing a plan to retire and replace with a server in Baseline. Windows Managed Server will purchase ESUs for any server which requires it, but the cost will be passed along to the customer.
• Unsupported: Not supported by Windows Managed Server. Servers in this category are shut down.

_{[1] The UW Enterprise Architecture (EA) program promotes using specific terms to communicate technology lifecycle states, and we use their terminology in describing our support practices and lifecycle process.}