Upgrading ASP.NET MVC from .NET 4.6 to .NET 8 with SharePoint On-Premises Authentication (ADFS): A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of using outdated technologies and want to take advantage of the latest features and security patches? Look no further! In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of upgrading your ASP.NET MVC application from .NET 4.6 to .NET 8, while seamlessly integrating SharePoint On-Premises Authentication using ADFS. Buckle up and let’s get started!

Why Upgrade to .NET 8?

Before we dive into the upgrading process, let’s quickly discuss the benefits of moving to .NET 8:

• Improved Performance: .NET 8 brings significant performance enhancements, including better garbage collection and faster startup times.
• Enhanced Security: With .NET 8, you get improved security features, such as better encryption and enhanced cryptographic algorithms.
• New Features: .NET 8 introduces new APIs, frameworks, and tools, making it easier to build modern web applications.
• Long-Term Support: .NET 8 is a Long-Term Support (LTS) release, ensuring you’ll receive security updates and bug fixes for an extended period.

Prerequisites

Before you start the upgrade process, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

• Visual Studio 2022 or later
• The latest version of the .NET 8 SDK
• A SharePoint On-Premises environment with ADFS authentication enabled
• Your ASP.NET MVC application targeting .NET 4.6

Step 1: Prepare Your Project

Before upgrading your project, let’s make sure it’s in good shape:

1. Open your ASP.NET MVC project in Visual Studio 2022.
2. Update all NuGet packages to the latest versions.
3. Fix any compiler warnings or errors.
4. Ensure your project is using the latest version of Microsoft.Owin.Security.ActiveDirectory.

  <package id="Microsoft.Owin.Security.ActiveDirectory" version="4.0.0"></package>

Step 2: Upgrade to .NET 8

Now it’s time to upgrade your project to .NET 8:

1. In the Solution Explorer, right-click your project and select “Properties.”
2. In the “Target framework” dropdown, select “.NET 8.0 (Long-term support)”.
3. Click “Yes” to confirm the changes.

Visual Studio will now upgrade your project to .NET 8. This might take a few minutes, depending on the size of your project.

Step 3: Update SharePoint On-Premises Authentication (ADFS)

To ensure seamless authentication with SharePoint On-Premises using ADFS, you’ll need to update your authentication configuration:

1. In your web.config file, update the following configuration:

  <appSettings>
    <add key="ida:ClientId" value="your_client_id"></add>
    <add key="ida:Tenant" value="your_tenant"></add>
    <add key="ida:AADInstance" value="https://login.microsoftonline.com/{0}"></add>
    <add key="ida:RedirectUri" value="https://your_app_url)></add>
  </appSettings>

Replace “your_client_id”, “your_tenant”, and “https://your_app_url” with your actual ADFS configuration values.

Step 4: Update Microsoft.Owin.Security.ActiveDirectory

Update the Microsoft.Owin.Security.ActiveDirectory package to the latest version:

  Install-Package Microsoft.Owin.Security.ActiveDirectory -Version 4.2.0

Step 5: Configure ADFS Authentication

In your Startup.cs file, add the following code to configure ADFS authentication:

  using Microsoft.Owin.Security.ActiveDirectory;
  
  public void ConfigureAuth(IAppBuilder app)
  {
    app.UseActiveDirectoryFederationServicesBearerAuthentication(
      new ActiveDirectoryFederationServicesBearerAuthenticationOptions
      {
        ClientId = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["ida:ClientId"],
        TenantId = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["ida:Tenant"],
        Instance = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["ida:AADInstance"]
      });
  }

Step 6: Update SharePoint On-Premises API References

Update your SharePoint On-Premises API references to the latest version:

  Install-Package SharePointPnPCoreOnline -Version 3.27.0
  Install-Package SharePointPnPCore2016 -Version 3.27.0

Step 7: Test Your Application

It’s time to test your application:

1. Run your application.
2. Access a SharePoint On-Premises protected resource.
3. You should be redirected to the ADFS login page.
4. Enter your credentials and authenticate.
5. You should now have access to the protected resource.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

While upgrading your application, you might encounter some common issues:

Issue	Solution
Compilation errors after upgrading to .NET 8	Check for NuGet package updates and ensure all packages are compatible with .NET 8.
Authentication issues with ADFS	Verify your ADFS configuration, ensure correct client ID, tenant, and redirect URI values.
SharePoint On-Premises API issues	Check the SharePoint On-Premises API references and ensure they are updated to the latest version.

Conclusion

Upgrading your ASP.NET MVC application from .NET 4.6 to .NET 8 with SharePoint On-Premises Authentication using ADFS requires careful planning and execution. By following this step-by-step guide, you should now have a seamless and secure authentication experience with SharePoint On-Premises. Remember to test your application thoroughly and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Happy coding!

Keywords: Upgrading ASP.NET MVC from .NET 4.6 to .NET 8 with SharePoint On-Premises Authentication (ADFS), .NET 8, ADFS, SharePoint On-Premises, ASP.NET MVC, Authentication, Security, Performance, Long-Term Support.

Frequently Asked Question

Are you struggling to upgrade your ASP.NET MVC application from .NET 4.6 to .NET 8 with SharePoint On-Premises Authentication (ADFS)? Worry no more! We’ve got you covered with these frequently asked questions and answers.