Do you have questions about the Windows^® Server 2003 operating system for our Windows-based hosting plans? Well, here's were you'll find answers to a few of the more common questions that are asked about our Windows Server 2003.

Q: Can I migrate any of the Windows Server 2000 plans into the Windows Server 2003 plans?
A: Currently the answer is no, however after September 16 2003, you will be able to process a plan change on the Windows Server 2000 plans which will migrate the plan into the selected Windows Server 2003 plan. The migration process involves a Server Move and details can be found by contact support@metalweb.net.

Q: When will I be able to migrate a UNIX or FreeBSD plan over to the Windows Server 2003 plans?
A: There is no schedule date to allow this type of migration. Once it is available, an announcement will be published on the Dealer Kit and or newsletter.

Q: Do I need to make any changes in my web site's code or applications?
A: If you choose Windows Server 2003, the following two areas may require your attention:

.NET Framework: WS 2003 has .NET Framework 1.1 integrated within it. We recommend that you use .NET Framework 1.1 to compile applications for Windows Server 2003. If, instead, you choose to use .NET Framework 1.0, you may want to keep tabs on applications created within it so as to make sure that they run properly under version 1.1. In the great majority of cases, you  should encounter no problems. However, if you do discover an incompatibility or glitch, please contact our Technical Support team.

ASPmail-to-CDOmail: Our Windows Server 2003 plans will not support ASPmail. If you choose Windows Server 2003, you should use CDO mail or the native .NET mail solution. Note that we will continue to support ASPmail on our Windows 2000 Server plans.

Q: What functional issues should I know with regard your implementation of Windows Server 2003?
A: The functional issues that you should know include the following:

The version of Windows Server 2003 that we are making available to you is the Standard Edition, not the  Enterprise, Datacenter or Web edition.

Plan changes are currently unavailable. If you choose a Windows Server 2003 offering, you must set up a new account.

Regarding databases, SQL setup is the same as it was on our Windows 2000 plans, single SQL server.

The server naming convention for our Windows Server 2003 servers is "w3wXXXXX". The first two "X's" following "w3w" are the server group number and the final three "X's" are the server number.

As with Windows 2000, ActivePerl version 5.6 is installed on Windows Server 2003.

CDO (Collaboration Data Object) is installed on Windows Server 2003.

Microsoft SharePoint technology is not currently supported.

The stats directory is now a virtual directory. As such, you cannot delete this directory or upload data to it.

Q: How would I benefit by choosing to go with Windows Server 2003?
A: WS 2003 contains all of the functionality of Windows 2000 Server and more. For instance, Windows 2000 Server supports .NET Framework as does WS 2003: the only difference is that on WS 2003, .NET Framework is built-in. Other functions that are now integrated into WS 2003 are:

ODBC.NET data provider

ASP.NET Mobile Controls

Q: What new features are in Windows Server 2003?
A: Windows Server 2003 contains numerous new features and abilities that make it a more robust and flexible web hosting system. WS 2003 contains improvements and additions for application services, security, and much more. Most of these improvements will be transparent to you as they apply to the our server-side of your hosting plan. In addition, you can now install components that fit the ASP.NET installation model that our servers allow.

For example, you can upload .NET assemblies (a form of Dynamic Link Library or DLL). To upload an assembly, just copy it to the /bin directory of the relevant IIS application. Visual Studio .NET offers the easiest method of uploading .NET assemblies as it uploads them automatically when you deploy your Visual Studio.NET project to the server. Additionally, .NET assemblies can also be uploaded through an FTP client or through Microsoft^® FrontPage.

Q: Where can I go for further information regarding Windows Server 2003?
A: Please visit our Where do I find technical information about Windows Server 2003? web page for a list of useful Windows Server 2003 resources.

Q: Can I use the Commerce Start up kit with the Shared win2k3 plans?
A: The installation of the ASP.Net Commerce Starter Kit requires that the user's web hosting account be SQL-enabled. Also, please note that this Starter Kit is COMMUNITY SUPPORTED, and NOT SUPPORTED by MetalWeb. All support is provided by the forums and developers on the www.ASP.NET website. Tech Support will be supporting automated installer-related issues only.)