Microsoft SQL Server 2019 has surpassed the end of mainstream support on Feb 28, 2025. It’s the end of an era and a new beginning for your SQL Server instances.
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Microsoft launched SQL Server 2019 RTM on Nov 4, 2019. While extended support is promised until Jan 8, 2030, many can and should seek to migrate off 2019 and onto something else.
What this means is that Microsoft will no longer provide any new features or bug fixes to SQL Server 2019. They will only provide security fixes going forward. The practical implication is that you have a deadline running to make a move.
Businesses running PROD instances cannot be on unsupported software – the security implications are too great knowing that the vendor is telling you loud and clear that there will be no fixes, features, and only the critical security updates will be delivered.
What Options Do We Have?
There are several options that Microsoft lays out:
- Move to Azure
- This is Microsoft’s preferred option
- Choices here will be either Azure Managed Instances or Azure VM with SQL Server
- Upgrade to SQL Server 2022 / 2025
- Keep running your 2019 instance
- This is the “do nothing” choice – it is on borrowed time
- Move to a different database platform e.g. Postgres
- This isn’t a Microsoft option but one that may be considered
Which Option to Choose?
The choice you make is highly dependent on your business and its needs. I cannot suggest a catch-all decision. For those who already have the infrastructure, it may be best to upgrade to SQL Server 2022 or 2025 when it is RTM. This means handing the network, Windows Servers, Virtualization layer (if you virtualize e.g. VMware), and SQL Server licenses.
If your workload is light or can get by on Azure VMs that might be a good play. There’s a lot to consider when moving away from on-premise installs and onto IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS. Don’t believe the marketing – you need to understand the reality of the choices and the implications it entails.
If you choose to abandon SQL Server for something else, yesterday was the time to start reproducing, testing, and running services in parallel for capacity planning, performance, functionality, and usability.
Conclusion
The choice is yours – just make sure you have given it the proper amount of thought. If you’re unsure then consult someone who knows and absorb their knowledge to form your own decision you can be happy with. What option would you choose?
Thanks for reading!
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