3 Strategies for .NET Modernization
by Ankit Shah
blog
October 22, 2024
Introduction
The.NET modernization project must be taken up immediately. In 2002, Microsoft unveiled its.NET framework. The Windows-dependent framework made it possible to build web forms, web services, and ASP .NET applications. After twenty years, Microsoft made an announcement:
In April of 2022, support for versions lower than 4.6.2 will be gradually reduced.
Microsoft will not support a framework running on an obsolete operating system because the .NET framework is packaged with Windows. This does not in any way mean that older .NET Framework apps will no longer be supported.Alternatively, you can consider .NET modernization.
Microsoft published an open-source.NET framework version designed specifically for cloud computing. The .NET framework is free and open-source software that is compatible with all popular computer systems. It uses cloud security to make things safer and more efficient by using its scalability.
Why .NET Modernization?
It is possible that legacy .NET Framework programs will not be able to transfer to the cloud using a lift and shift technique since they employ outdated technologies. Many older technologies need more agility to live in the cloud. Neither containers nor the principles of microservice design are utilized in their implementation.
The decision to replace an older program is, unfortunately, more than just a technical one. Many .NET Framework installations are business-critical applications. These applications can only be retired or replaced with significant investment in time, money, and staff resources. When companies cling to outdated technology, they sacrifice scalability, cybersecurity, and the ability to meet business demands.
Efficiency in scaling
Applications built with the Framework had trouble scaling due to its monolithic design. Because of its structure, the entire program must be scaled, even if scaling is isolated to a subroutine or module. Extra time is needed for testing, and delivery timeframes can be extended for large applications.
Hardware needs to be bought and kept up-to-date for on-premises solutions. Because of workload fluctuations, businesses could only afford to buy fully loaded equipment five times a year. Cloud services can quickly scale up during busy times and down when demand is low.
Businesses that are able to quickly scale up or down are better able to meet the evolving demands of their industry. The elimination of in-house support for equipment purchase and maintenance is just one more perk of moving to the cloud, which also offers more flexibility.
Safety measures
There could be security holes in any program. In particular, legacy apps running in a hybrid cloud have well-documented security flaws. If the application is retired, these issues might still need to be fixed.
Interdependencies could compromise security. Applications might not save the security logs needed for compliance or implement multi-factor authentication (MFA). It could not be easy to integrate encryption into a .NET Framework.
Extensive criteria for protecting personal data are included in several security regulations, like NIST 800-171, PCI, and GDPR. The architecture to conform could be missing from legacy .NET apps. Alternately, challenges may arise from the approaches used to meet the criteria.
To meet various compliance regulations, cloud providers have integrated security measures. For instance, cloud service providers already protect credit cards and medical records. By using these security services, businesses can ensure they follow all regulations.
Improving the Customer Experience
When it comes to their interactions with brands, consumers have lofty expectations. Customers prefer quick responses. They are impatient and refuse to wait or be repetitive. Companies must catch up to the competition if they need more technological capacity to provide seamless omnichannel experiences.
Speed was not a design goal of legacy systems. In today’s industry, poor client experiences result from many solutions’ struggles with slow performance and high latency. They might also be using data formats incompatible with AI or VR systems.
Artificial intelligence will go from a nice-to-have to a need as more businesses adopt Amazon’s business model. Walmart comes second with 7% of the eCommerce market, while Amazon holds 40%.
The AI-based suggestions made by Amazon are directly responsible for this disparity.
When meeting consumer expectations and delivering a superior experience, businesses that are limited by .NET Framework applications could fall short. Old systems should have included features allowing data interchange or real-time access.
Approaches to Update the .NET Framework
There are three main approaches to .NET modernization. The current application’s status, available resources, and company needs will determine the best action.
1. Moving to a New Host
Rehosting, often called lift and shift, involves migrating an existing application to the cloud without altering it. The only difference between running the program on-premises and in the cloud is that the latter will use virtual machines. While the program would be easier to access in the cloud, performance issues may still be an issue.
There might be better choices than rehosting if workers are unhappy with the current NET application or want more features. However, given practical constraints, there may be more effective ways to proceed than re-platforming or rearchitecting.
2. Making a New Design
As part of the design, the application is moved to the cloud. These apps would transition to the cloud and use a microservice architecture. These features make it easy for a corporation to adapt to changing needs quickly and scale. A brand-new software built with cloud-native coding standards is essential for this tactic to work.
The time and resources needed for this approach are higher than the other two options. A strict structure that prevents flexibility is removed. To shorten the time to market, it generates microservices that operate independently inside a container.
Is it necessary to rethink the design of the sample cost reporting system? It’s a pricey choice, but it might pay off if distant workers use the system frequently. It opens the door to new possibilities for expanding functionality, such as integrating with Azure App Service. The final option for a business looking to go cloud-native is rearchitecting.
3. Phases of Strategy
It may be helpful for some businesses to approach app modernization in stages. They may re-architect later and rehost the expense reporting system today. If performance issues arise, they may consider re-platforming as a backup strategy.
It is essential to prepare and analyze thoroughly while updating .NET apps. Companies need to achieve their transformation objectives in the presence of a well-articulated plan.
Experts with in-depth knowledge of Microsoft technologies can help companies modernise their .NET infrastructure with success. Should you necessitate any additional details, kindly contact us.
Table Of Contents
- Introduction
- Why .NET Modernization?
- Approaches to Update the .NET Framework