Applications Require Updates for Windows .NET Server

Fundamental architectural changes in Windows .NET Server 2003 will make it incompatible with some Microsoft and third-party applications. Service packs will help some Microsoft server applications work on the new operating system, but at least one application, Exchange, will require an upgrade to a new version. Most earlier Microsoft server products also will not be compatible, and some third-party products will require patches or upgrades. Organizations interested in upgrading to Windows .NET Server will have to factor these issues into their plans, and fixes could be expensive if the server application updates are not covered under maintenance programs, such as Microsoft’s Software Assurance.

(For a complete list of the server application configurations that Microsoft will support, see the chart “Microsoft Server Application Compatibility with Windows .NET Server“.)

Why Windows .NET Server Affects Compatibility

Even though Windows .NET Server (scheduled for release in spring 2003) is a minor upgrade from Windows 2000 Server (as opposed to a major upgrade containing revolutionary architectural changes), Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing initiative has strongly influenced its design. Unlike its predecessor, Windows .NET Server installs in a “secure by default” configuration. (See “SD3 Forms Basis for Security Push” on page 9 of the Oct. 2002 Update.) In certain cases, the security changes can create problems for applications that run fine on Windows 2000.