Summary

Windows Server 2003 compatibility testing should be performed before any upgrade or migration. The process can be completed very quickly for smaller networks (basic testing) or for larger networks with fairly simple networking environments.

The first steps include identifying the scope and goals of the project to make sure that the stakeholders are involved in determining the success factors for the project. Then research needs to be performed, internal to the company, on which in-place applications are network-related. This includes not only Windows Server, but tape backup software, antivirus software, network management and monitoring tools, add-ons, and inventory sheets created summarizing this information. Decisions as to which applications are critical, near-critical, or just nice to have should also be made. Research should then be performed with the vendors of the products, tracking sheets should be created to record this information, and the application should be categorized in one of six states of compatibility. Next the testing begins, with the configuration of the lab environment that is isolated from the production network, and the applications are loaded and tested by both administrative and enduser or help desk staff. The results are then documented, and the final decisions of whether to proceed are made.

With this process, the production upgrade or migration is smoother, and the likelihood of technical problems that can harm the business' ability to transact or provide its services is greatly reduced. The problems are identified beforehand and resolved, and the resources who will perform the work gain familiarity with all the products and processes involved.