SQL Server 2016/2017 Database Migration: So Many Choices

• Organizations should develop plans to migrate off SQL Server 2016/2017 before the end of Extended support. 

• Migrating the database is likely the largest task but is manageable and less risky if done in stages. 

• There are numerous destinations to consider, including competitor products that can help reduce costs. 

• This milestone event should be used to assess long-term strategies and whether the server stays on-premises or moves to a cloud solution. 

SQL Server 2016 and 2017 are leaving Extended support (in July 2026 and Oct. 2027, respectively), and customers need to plan their migrations because the versions will become increasingly vulnerable to attacks. The challenge with upgrading SQL Server is that many instances (deployments) contain a variety of databases, serving many different purposes. This means upgrading the server (and databases) often has downstream impacts on applications, users, and business operations. Customers can avoid the impact by postponing the upgrade, but that option is expensive and rarely justifiable.