Need upgrade advice

[Rick]

I inherited a .NET website using RadAjax.Net2.dlls. Currently only supported in IE compatibility mode from my understanding.  I would like to upgrade to a version that works in current browsers.  The website is using .NET 2.0 but we are upgrading the framework to 2.8 if possible.   I appreciate any recommendations on upgrade path.  

[Rumen]

Hi Rick,

The inherited app is most likely using the Classic RadControls for ASP.NET suite (RadAjax.Net2.dll, RadGrid.Net2.dll and so on separate assemblies for each classic control) which was discontinued in 2009. The Classic controls were replaced by their counterparts in the Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX (also known as RadControls for ASP.NET AJAX), which is represented by the single Telerik.Web.UI.dll assembly containing all components inside.

For your convenience, I am listing below some migration articles that should help you migrate the obsolete components to their ASP.NET AJAX versions:

• https://www.telerik.com/support/kb/aspnet-ajax/grid/details/migration-from-radgrid-for-asp.net-(classic)-to-radgrid-for-asp.net-ajax
• https://docs.telerik.com/devtools/aspnet-ajax/controls/editor/changes-and-backwards-compatibility/migration-from-radeditor-classic-to-radeditor-for-asp.net-ajax
• https://docs.telerik.com/devtools/aspnet-ajax/controls/menu/migrating-from-radmenu-asp.net-to-asp.net-ajax

Here are the steps to migrate to RadAjax for ASP.NET AJAX:

• Place the new Telerik.Web.UI.dll in the Bin folder
• Update the @Register directive 
  

  <%@ Register Assembly="Telerik.Web.UI" Namespace="Telerik.Web.UI" TagPrefix="telerik" %>

• Add a RadScriptManager and register its handlers in the web.config (through the VS Designer)
• Fix the tag prefix in the RadAjaxManager definition as shown in this demo - https://demos.telerik.com/aspnet-ajax/ajaxmanager/overview/defaultcs.aspx. 

You can find detailed getting started instructions for the Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX suite in the following article: https://docs.telerik.com/devtools/aspnet-ajax/getting-started/first-steps-msi. 

In addition, you mentioned upgrading to .NET 2.8, but the .NET Framework doesn't have version 2.8. The latest versions are .NET Framework 4.8 and 4.8.1. You should consider upgrading to at least .NET Framework 4.8 or, if feasible, migrate to .NET 5/6/7 for better long-term support and compatibility with modern technologies.

I hope the information above will help you and anyone else in the same situation to migrate to the most recent version of Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX. The latest version offers numerous advantages, including:

• Enhanced Security and Stability: More robust and reliable for various development needs.
• Modern Browser Support: Compatibility with the latest web browsers, ensuring a seamless experience for end-users.
• New Components and Features: A wider range of tools to enhance your application’s functionality and user experience.
• Full Accessibility: Compliance with the modern Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.x, ensuring your project is accessible to all users.

Best Regards,
Rumen
Progress Telerik