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, such as locking data table column headers in place when scrolling, creating charts, or visualizing security group relationships. To take advantage of all features, we recommend upgrading your browser(s) to the latest release. Since this is not always possible, the LabKey team attempts to maintain basic compatibility and fix major issues with the following browsers:

• Chrome 62+
• Firefox 56+
• Firefox ESR 52+
• Safari 11+
• Edge 40+

As a general rule, LabKey Server supports the latest version of the browsers listed above. To review and download the latest versions, click the links provided. Note that Internet Explorer has reached end of life and is no longer supported.

If you experience a problem with a supported browser feel free to post the details to the support forum so we're made aware of the issue.

Java

We recommend using the latest point release of Oracle OpenJDK 13 (currently 13.0.1), Oracle's production-ready open-source build of the Java Development Kit.

For those who can't transition to OpenJDK 13 yet, LabKey continues to support Oracle OpenJDK 12, though we strongly recommend installing the latest point release (currently 12.0.2). Note that Oracle no longer issues public updates (i.e., patches to address security and reliability issues) for OpenJDK 12, so we recommend upgrading to OpenJDK 13 as soon as possible. You may want to familiarize yourself with recent changes to the Java licensing and release schedule that affect every LabKey deployment; see this post on the LabKey blog.

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

Apache Tomcat

We recommend using the latest point release of Apache Tomcat 9.0.x (currently 9.0.27).

LabKey continues to support older versions 8.5.x and 7.0.x, though we strongly recommend installing the latest point release of each (currently 8.5.47 or 7.0.96); older point releases have major compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities. Note that Tomcat 7.0.x is not compatible with some advanced features of LabKey Server (e.g., Docker and RStudio integration). Tomcat 8.0.x is no longer supported as it has reached end of life; it has been superseded by Tomcat 8.5.x.

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 12.x (currently 12.1).

For those who can't transition to 12.x yet, LabKey continues to support PostgreSQL 11.x, 10.x, 9.6.x, 9.5.x, and 9.4.x, though here also we strongly recommend installing the latest point release (currently 11.6, 10.11, 9.6.16, 9.5.20, and 9.4.25) to ensure you have all the latest security, reliability, and performance fixes.

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

Microsoft SQL Server

For installations using Microsoft SQL Server as the primary database, we recommend using Microsoft SQL Server 2019, which we've tested on both Windows and Linux. We continue to support and test on SQL Server 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2012. LabKey does not support SQL Server 2008 R2 or earlier releases.