Microsoft promises annual Windows Server updates, can IT cope?

[Chiefcrowe]

http://arstechnica.com/information-...ses-annual-windows-server-updates-can-it-cope

 

[ultimatebob]

http://arstechnica.com/information-...ses-annual-windows-server-updates-can-it-cope

IT won't care... they'll just keep upgrading their systems every 3-5 years like they always have.

You don't see many IT organizations jumping to upgrade their clients to Windows 8, do ya?

 

[Snoop]

What I have not been able to figure out is that if someone stays on 8.0, and does not upgrade to 8.1, how long will 8.0 be supported? Are the 8.x security updates compatible moving forward?

 

[sourceninja]

I don't know how traditional IT will cope, but I'll be just fine working consulting.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Agreed.. I think IT will behave pretty much the same as they have been.

As for us, I may end up waiting and skipping 2012 altogether if R2 is out sooner than later. That is of course unless it ends up being terrible. From what i've seen of 2012, it's pretty nice so i'm expecting the next version to be even better.

 

[Lifted]

What I have not been able to figure out is that if someone stays on 8.0, and does not upgrade to 8.1, how long will 8.0 be supported? Are the 8.x security updates compatible moving forward?

I've seen most places refer to 8.1 as a service pack (though it may not be set in stone by MS yet), which would mean:

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/

Service Pack Support Policy

• When a new service pack is released, Microsoft will provide either 12 or 24 months of support for the previous service pack, varying according to the product family (for example, Windows, Office, Servers, or Developer tools) (Windows and ERP/Accounting apps get 24 months, everything else is 12)
• When support for a service pack ends, Microsoft will no longer provide new security updates, DST updates, hotfixes or other updates for that service pack. Limited support will continue to be available, as described below
• When support for a product ends, support of all the service packs for that product will also end. The product’s support lifecycle supersedes the service pack support policy
• Support timelines for service packs will remain consistent within the product family
• Microsoft will publish specific support timelines for a previous service pack when the new service pack is released

 

[smakme7757]

Well it's good for me, I'll get one more version of Windows Server before i finish my degree

 

[Snoop]

I've seen most places refer to 8.1 as a service pack (though it may not be set in stone by MS yet), which would mean:

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/

Service Pack Support Policy

• When a new service pack is released, Microsoft will provide either 12 or 24 months of support for the previous service pack, varying according to the product family (for example, Windows, Office, Servers, or Developer tools) (Windows and ERP/Accounting apps get 24 months, everything else is 12)
• When support for a service pack ends, Microsoft will no longer provide new security updates, DST updates, hotfixes or other updates for that service pack. Limited support will continue to be available, as described below
• When support for a product ends, support of all the service packs for that product will also end. The product’s support lifecycle supersedes the service pack support policy
• Support timelines for service packs will remain consistent within the product family
• Microsoft will publish specific support timelines for a previous service pack when the new service pack is released

That makes sense, though, a service pack in the past, was released via Windows update. The 8.1 update is being pushed out via the windows store.