Supported Technologies Roadmap

This chart summarizes server-side dependency recommendations for past & current releases, and predictions for upcoming releases.

Browsers

LabKey Server requires a modern browser for many advanced features, and we recommend upgrading your browser(s) to the latest stable release. As a general rule, LabKey Server supports the latest version of the following browsers:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari
• Edge

If you experience a problem with a supported browser feel free to search for, and if not found, post the details to the support forum so we're made aware of the issue.

Java

LabKey requires a Java 17 JDK; this is the only version of Java that LabKey supports. (LabKey does not support JDK 18 and higher.) We strongly recommend using the latest point release of Eclipse Temurin 17 64-bit (currently 17.0.8.1+1), the community-supported production-ready distribution of the Java Development Kit produced by the Adoptium Working Group. LabKey performs all development, testing, and deploying using Eclipse Temurin 17. Version 17 is a Long Term Support release (LTS), meaning that LabKey deployments can use it for an extended period, though groups should regularly apply point releases to stay current on security and other important bug fixes.

You must run the Java 17 JVM with these special flags --add-opens=java.base/java.lang=ALL-UNNAMED --add-opens=java.base/java.io=ALL-UNNAMED --add-opens=java.base/java.util=ALL-UNNAMED --add-opens=java.desktop/java.awt.font=ALL-UNNAMED --add-opens=java.base/java.text=ALL-UNNAMED to allow certain libraries to function properly. (Note that standard startup scripts in the most recent Tomcat versions add these flags automatically.) We will upgrade the libraries as soon as they fully support the changes made in JEP 396.

LabKey Server has not been tested with other Java distributions such as Oracle OpenJDK, Oracle commercial Java SE, Amazon Corretto, Red Hat, Zulu, OpenJ9, etc.

Apache Tomcat

LabKey requires Apache Tomcat 9.0.x; this is the only version of Tomcat that LabKey supports. (LabKey does not support Tomcat 10.x or 11.x.) We strongly recommend upgrading to the latest point release (currently 9.0.80).

We recommend installing Tomcat using the binary distributions; if a package manager is used, the lib directory may be installed in a different location. Also, the packages sometimes include alternative versions of some components (like JDBC connection pools) that can cause incompatibilities.

We recommend not using the Apache Tomcat Native library; this library can interfere with SSL and prevent server access via LabKey's client libraries.

PostgreSQL

For installations using PostgreSQL as the primary database, we recommend using the latest point release of PostgreSQL 15.x (currently 15.4).

For those who can't transition to 15.x yet, LabKey continues to support PostgreSQL 14.x, 13.x, 12.x, and 11.x, though here also we strongly recommend installing the latest point release (currently 14.9, 13.12, 12.16, and 11.21) to ensure you have all the latest security, reliability, and performance fixes. Note: PostgreSQL 11.x will reach end of life on November 9, 2023 and LabKey will remove support for this version shortly thereafter; deployments using 11.x should plan to upgrade to a supported version ASAP.

PostgreSQL provides instructions for how to upgrade your installation, including moving your existing data.

Microsoft SQL Server (Premium Feature)

Premium Editions of LabKey Server have the option of using Microsoft SQL Server databases as the primary database and as external data sources. For these installations, we recommend using Microsoft SQL Server 2022, which we've tested on both Windows and Linux.

LabKey continues to support SQL Server 2019, 2017, 2016, and 2014. LabKey does not support SQL Server 2012 or earlier releases.

Linux

LabKey does not recommend a specific version of Linux, but you will need to use one that supports the versions of Tomcat, Java, your database, and any other necessary components for your version of LabKey Server.