Microsoft customers have frequently purchased Microsoft boxed software with the knowledge that in the case of Business and Developer products like Windows Server, Exchange Server or SQL Server, support timeframes began shortly following release.

This date for Microsoft boxed software is typically known as General Availability (GA) and follows the Release-to-Manufacturing (RTM) date by 90 days. When a software product reached GA, customers understood that the release would receive five years of Mainstream Support and five years of Extended Support.

With Microsoft hardware appliances – a product that is sold with both Microsoft software and hardware from select Microsoft Partners – the challenge arose of keeping the Support Lifecycle simple and straightforward for customers.

Customers expect hardware appliances to be supported as a whole and not as disparate parts. They also need predictability in terms of support timeframes so they can ensure maximum return on their investment in the hardware appliance.

With Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse (PDW), we are ensuring that customers are supported for a minimum of five years. This is possible as Microsoft is basing the Support Lifecycle not on the GA date but on the end of sales date for the Major Product version. Minor Product releases will follow the Support Lifecycle of their respective Major Product version.

The date for the end of sales for the initial release of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Parallel Data Warehouse has not been set and so support dates are not yet available. When the end of sales occurs, end of support dates will be published on the Microsoft Support Lifecycle site.

Thanks for your continued questions and comments. More information on Microsoft’s support policies can also be found on the Microsoft Support Lifecycle website.

*This posting is provided "AS- IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.*