ASP.NET Core 8

Timeline of changes¶

Apteco Orbit update requirements¶

From version 2.1.3 onwards, Apteco Orbit requires the ASP.NET Core 8 Server Hosting Bundle for the OrbitAPI. It doesn't require .NET 6 anymore.

To take advantage of the new features in Orbit, follow these steps to update:

1. Download and install the .NET Core 8 update.

   • Make sure you're using version 8.0.7 or later, as it includes essential security patches from Microsoft.
   • For the latest updates and details from Microsoft, visit the Microsoft .NET 8 downloads page.

If you have any issues, please contact the technical services team.

What partners and customers need to do¶

For existing Apteco Orbit installations¶

1. Install the ASP.NET 8 Hosting Bundle from dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/8.0

   

2. Install the .NET Desktop Runtime from the same resource dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/8.0

   

For new Apteco Orbit installations¶

You should install both the ASP.NET Core Hosting Bundle (8.0) and the .NET Desktop Runtime.

Frequently asked questions¶

About Microsoft ASP.NET Core¶

Microsoft ASP.NET Core is an implementation of the Microsoft .NET Framework. It specifically targets basic services for internet-connected apps, such as web apps, IoT (Internet of Things) apps, and mobile backends.

Apteco Orbit (or at least the Orbit API) uses the Microsoft ASP.NET Core framework.

Why this update is necessary¶

Orbit has used .NET Core 6 for a number of years, as a previous Long-Term Support (LTS) version of .NET. Microsoft will soon stop supporting it and it will no longer receive security updates, representing a security risk.

Microsoft released the current LTS release of .NET (including the ASP.NET Core libraries) in March 2024, and Orbit is now migrating to this version.

Whether this will happen again¶

Apteco anticipates needing to move to a newer version of .NET in the future. Microsoft has committed to supporting .NET 8 until at least November 2026. See https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/platform/support/policy/dotnet-core for further information.

When the Orbit API first requires .NET 8¶

Orbit Version 2.1.3, released on 10 June 2024, requires .NET 8. If telemetry and other feedback indicate a slow take-up of ASP.NET Core 8, Apteco may choose to delay this.

Using an unsupported version of the .NET library increases the potential of a security risk. Apteco needs to balance this risk with any delay.

What happens if ASP.NET Core isn't installed¶

When Apteco releases the first version of the Orbit API that requires ASP.NET Core 8, systems without the prerequisite can still continue using Orbit.

They won't automatically update until you install the prerequisite, and won't benefit from any new Orbit features or fixes.

Actions needed after installing ASP.NET Core 8¶

No. The updater detects the presence of ASP.NET Core 8 the next time it attempts an update, and then updates to the latest version.

Prerequisites for installing ASP.NET Core 8¶

Yes. The .NET 8 supported OS list shows which operating systems Microsoft supports.

If the web server's operating system isn't listed¶

If the web server's operating system isn't on the supported list, you won't be able to install Microsoft .NET Core. See What happens if ASP.NET Core isn't installed for how this affects your system.

Effect on other applications that use .NET Core¶

No. You can install ASP.NET Core 8 side by side with other versions of the same component library.

Issues when uninstalling earlier versions of ASP.NET Core¶

Uninstalling an earlier version of the ASP.NET Core Hosting Bundle (e.g. 6) before installing version 8 can de-register it within IIS. This means the OrbitAPI will no longer run correctly.

To avoid this, repair the ASP.NET Core installation from within Apps & Features:

1. Select the Windows Server Hosting entry, and then the Modify option.

   

2. In the dialogue that opens, choose the Repair option.

   

3. Restart IIS.