We might seem repetitive in constantly reminding you about system upgrades, but staying up to date cannot be overstated in a world of continuous technological changes and emerging threats. While using an up-to-date and supported version of the CMS platform is crucial, so is the framework it runs on. Let's discuss why Kentico 13 users should pay attention to the version of .NET their system is based on.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS RELATES TO MY WEBSITE?
Kentico 13 was built on .NET 6, which was introduced in 2021. Support for the latest framework version, .NET 8, was introduced for Kentico 13 with Refresh 11, released at the end of last year. If you haven't performed major upgrades this year, or if your system was built using the ASP.NET MVC 5 framework instead of ASP.NET Core (since Kentico works with both), you should plan to rebuild your website in .NET now.
WHAT'S THE TIMELINE HERE?
Microsoft has planned the end-of-life (EOL) for .NET 6 at the end of November 2024, which means the end of official support, including patches and updates. This date also marks the end of support for Kentico solutions based on .NET 6, affecting your websites, microsites, and web apps. Kentico's product lifecycle has always been linked to Microsoft's support for the framework.
Therefore, it is worth planning the upgrade now. While a website based on an outdated framework won't break down overnight, over time, it will become increasingly vulnerable to attackers' exploitation of unpatched system holes and may face incompatibilities with the environment and IT infrastructure of your hosting providers.
WHAT TO DO NEXT? HOW DO SOLVE IT?
As mentioned above, the next logical step is rebuilding the website in .NET 8. Why skip .NET 7 and opt for .NET 8 as the latest version that will provide peace of mind for a long time? Every second version of Microsoft .NET is a long-term support version. After .NET 6, the next version is .NET 8, making it the most optimal solution.
Upgrading to the new Kentico 13 website framework will be possible with Refresh 11, which, in addition to supporting .NET 8, will introduce several other valuable changes and upgrades. For example, you can remove the outdated jQuery technology or add the Page Builder filtering options widget to your dashboard.
HOW ABOUT JUST MOVING TO THIS XPERIENCE BY KENTICO PLATFORM WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT?
The innovative hybrid headless Xperience by Kentico platform is more than just another version of Kentico. Like Kentico 13, it is also built on .NET, and building a website from scratch in this system would naturally involve using the latest version, .NET 8, to maintain long-term security. We encourage you to consider this option, but it may pose a more significant challenge than simply implementing a refresh and upgrading the framework. XbK is an excellent solution for content-rich websites with a strong emphasis on security and intensive development. However, for some projects, such as those requiring e-commerce support, upgrading the framework to version 13 and moving to Xperience by Kentico in the future might be a more convenient path.
No two projects are the same, but all require care. We are happy to offer our attention and audit your current Kentico solutions, proposing a comprehensive roadmap tailored to your needs.
Do want to upgrade your Kentico platform to .NET 8 and future-proof it? You're in the right place.
