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Frequently Asked Questions
This page answers frequently asked questions about the Designed for BackOffice Logo Program.
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Do client and stand-alone applications have to support the same requirements as server applications?
Client and stand-alone applications do not have to support the following requirements:
- Section 2.3-Run as a Microsoft Windows® 2000 Server service or COM + application
- Section 2.4-Publish PerfMon counters
- Section 2.5-Publish events to event log
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Do applications that require users to log on to host computers, for example mainframes or AS/400s, need to support the unified logon requirement?
Your application can have the ability to turn the unified logon function on and off, however, integrated security is a part of the logo requirement. Many ISV clients prefer to use the Microsoft Windows NT® security management feature. This feature provides excellent security and is easy to administer across multiple servers and operating systems.
Exemptions are occasionally granted, but a valid reason for not complying with a requirement is necessary. Contact d4boinfo@microsoft.com for more information.
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Why is unified logon necessary?
Unified logon is required for all client/server applications. Users should not be prompted to log on to Web applications run on an intranet. Instead, Windows NT authentication should handle all necessary security transparently. This is not applicable for Internet applications.
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What does "user interface-less" installation mean?
"User interface-less" installation means that applications must install without the need for user intervention. Some visual activity on the desktop is acceptable, as long as there is no user intervention required. This requirement, for unattended installation, applies to client, stand-alone, and server applications.
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Is it necessary to use PerfMon counters and event logging on client and stand-alone applications, or are they only required on server applications?
Client and stand-alone applications are exempt from the PerfMon counter and event logging requirements. The purpose of the PerfMon counters and event logging is to:
- Make it easier to find third-party application bottlenecks in a customer's environment using any performance monitor.
- Make it easier to diagnose bugs/problems in third-party applications.
In a survey of our product support services, we discovered that most blue screens were not caused by the operating system. Instead, the majority of blue screens were the result of an error in a third-party application. Because users assume that the operating system causes the problem, they generally respond by rebooting the server, which is not a good solution.
In a survey of our product support services, we discovered that most blue screens were not caused by the operating system. Instead, the majority of blue screens were the result of an error in a third-party application. Because users assume that the operating system causes the problem, they generally respond by rebooting the server, which is not a good solution.
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Does supporting ODBC mean that only ODBC can be used to connect to the SQL Server?
Applications using DB-Lib must move to OLE DB by December 31, 1999. Applications are tested for ODBC compliance. Your application must work correctly with only the ODBC driver installed. If your application fails because part of it requires DB-Lib, you may be eligible for a waiver.
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What does testing on a stressed Windows environment mean?
You should initiate an offline run of your application to see how it performs in your typical environment, ensuring that maximum performance is achievable.
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Is it necessary for a Web application to run as a service?
If your Web application is a collection of applets, HTML code, or Microsoft ActiveX® controls, it is exempt from the service requirement. In this case, the service is provided by Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS), rather than by the application. This requirement applies to client/server applications only.
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Do Java Applications need to be compiled as Win32?
If your application is written in 100 percent Java, it is exempt from the requirement to be compiled as Microsoft Win32®.
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