How to Migrate from Windows Server 2008 to Microsoft Azure

March 28, 2019 | Anne Blanchard

Microsoft announced that support for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will end on January 14, 2020. As of today, that gives enterprises less than nine months to implement a path forward.

So, what now?

There are multiple options for your server operating system and hardware, but unstructured data is the real issue. Windows Server 2008 is often used as a file server, and many organizations assume that files and group shares will continue anchoring them to legacy hardware and equipment-packed data centers.

You could migrate Windows Server 2008 file data to new file servers based on Windows Server 2016. You could purchase new Network-Attached Storage (NAS) hardware. Either way, you’ll be staring down another painful, expensive purchasing cycle in 3-5 years. You’ll have to play the storage and backup refresh game all over again.

The other option? Modernize your infrastructure with Microsoft Azure Cloud Storage.

Cloud Capacity, Fast Access

Many companies hesitate to move files to the cloud because of performance concerns. They want the cost-effective capacity of Azure, but they don’t want to lose the security and performance of local hardware. Nasuni exists to bridge that gap. Our patented cloud-native file system, UniFS®, enables all file data and metadata currently stored on Windows Server 2008 to be migrated to Azure. Yet Nasuni also extends on-premises to preserve local, high-performance access.

Nasuni and Azure offer the best of both worlds. A handful of the other benefits include:

80-85% less hardware resource required

CIFS/SMB and NFS-based application compatibility

Active-Directory-based security, plus encryption of files in transit and at rest

Replacement of traditional backup with built-in continuous file versioning to the cloud

Intelligent file archiving that reduces the cost of storing files in Azure as they age

Rapid Disaster Recovery & powerful Business Continuity

Large organizations are also using Nasuni’s multi-site file synchronization and global file locking to help users in different locations collaborate easily on projects.

Why Upgrade Windows Server Today?

As a top Azure ISV, Nasuni has already helped multiple large organizations rehost file server workloads to Azure Cloud Storage with Nasuni Cloud File Services. The migration is similar to a standard NAS-to-NAS process, but there’s one major difference.

This migration will be your last. And it’s simple. Real estate giant Cushman & Wakefield recently migrated multiple global offices to Azure and Nasuni. Engineering and construction leader APi Group leverages the platform as an integral part of their process to onboard and integrate newly acquired companies.

These organizations all completed the migration in a few months time, but 2020 will be here before you know it. Don’t miss this chance to score an IT win this year, and complete your organization’s digital transformation by moving away from legacy hardware to cloud infrastructure.

Read our solution brief to find out why so many customers are moving to Azure Cloud Storage and Nasuni Cloud File Services today. Then sign up for a demo, or send us a note with any questions.