Microsoft Message Queuing (MSMQ) - Removal of Windows 2000 Client Support Service

Affected Platforms

Servers - Windows Server 2008 R2

Feature Impact

Severity - High
Frequency - Low

Description

The Windows 2000 Client Support Service is an optional component of the Message Queuing Server that you can install on a Windows 2003 or Windows 2008 domain controller machine. This service allows Windows 2000 clients to operate in a domain-integrated mode with any Message Queuing server installed on Windows 2003/2008 machines. MSMQ Clients operating on Windows XP upwards do not need this service.

Manifestation of Impact

This change impacts Windows 2000 when interoperating in a Windows 7 domain where all domain controllers are Windows Server 2008 R2. If a customer upgrades to the Windows 7 domain, the existing MSMQ applications on any Windows 2000 machines in the domain will not be able to operate in a domain-integrated mode unless these clients upgrade to a higher Windows version.

Mitigation

Users who have Windows 2000 Client machines on a Windows 7 domain can configure a Windows 2003/2008 domain controller in the domain and install the MSMQ Windows 2000 Client Support Service on this domain controller.

Leveraging Feature Capabilities

Users who have Windows 2000 Client machines running MSMQ should upgrade to a higher Windows version in order to take advantage of the Active Directory-based implementation of the MSMQ Server.

Compatibility, Performance, Reliability, and Usability Testing

Users who have Windows 2000 Client machines running MSMQ on a Windows 7 domain with one or more down-level domain controllers should verify that their applications are functional on this mixed domain.