Windows Azure and ASP.NET MVC Migration

INTRODUCTION

If you haven’t already started planning your migration from a Windows Server 2003 environment, then I recommend you get started. As of July 14, 2015, extended support for this operating system and the associated components (that is, IIS 6) will stop. This means that Microsoft will no longer create security updates or take support calls for this version.

Whether you’re almost finished with your migration or just beginning, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of choosing your next platform. You may want to upgrade to the most current versions of all the components necessary to run your system while keeping the number of required changes to a minimum. You might even want to get venturesome and convert some of your ADO.NET queries to use LINQ, implement an ORM, or migrate from Oracle to SQL Server.

You have many reasons to upgrade to the newest operating system:

• It’s a good opportunity to not only change platforms, but also to reinvent your system.
• You can look at your system from an opportunity perspective instead of from a cost perspective.
• You can find fresh innovations now available on these new platforms, and gain additional customers while retaining your key talent.
• In addition to innovating, you can take a closer look at support and maintenance cost reduction opportunities on these new platforms. You may get a pleasant surprise.

As exciting as this may sound, you can anticipate significant effort and some risk when you move to an entirely new platform. ...