ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server follows the lifecycle policies of Microsoft SQL Server versions. When Microsoft ends support for a version, Alibaba Cloud stops providing patches and security updates for that version on RDS.
Version lifecycle status
| Major engine version | Status | Release date by Microsoft | End-of-support date by Microsoft | Date to stop providing patches by ApsaraDB RDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQL Server 2022 | Available for purchase | November 16, 2022 | January 11, 2033 | N/A |
| SQL Server 2019 | Available for purchase | November 4, 2019 | January 8, 2030 | N/A |
| SQL Server 2017 | Available for purchase | September 29, 2017 | October 12, 2027 | N/A |
| SQL Server 2016 | Available for purchase | June 1, 2016 | July 14, 2026 | / |
| SQL Server 2014 | Available for purchase | June 5, 2014 | July 9, 2024 | July 9, 2024 |
| SQL Server 2012 | Available for purchase | May 20, 2012 | July 12, 2022 | July 12, 2022 |
| SQL Server 2008 R2 | Phased-out | July 20, 2010 | July 9, 2019 | July 9, 2019 |
After the patch stop date:
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Alibaba Cloud no longer provides patches or security updates for the version.
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Alibaba Cloud still provides basic technical services to keep your instances running normally, except for versions where technical support has been fully discontinued.
Plan your upgrade
Running an instance on a version that no longer receives patches exposes your workloads to security vulnerabilities, application incompatibility issues, compliance issues, and possible security threats caused by some non-functional risks. To ensure the security and stability of your workloads, we recommend that you upgrade to a later SQL Server version at the earliest opportunity.
See Upgrade the major engine version and RDS edition of an ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance.