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  • #2081429

    NetWare versus NT

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    by vikmat2 ·

    We are going to have discussion on wheather to start building NT network in our institution. Currently we have mix of UNIX hosts, NT application servers and NetWare 4.1-5.0. All users (2500+) login to Novell and access all application servers through separate logins. Some of our administrators think that building NT network will simplify our task of managing all servers and provide better service to our users (new applications, one login and …). What would you suggest?

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    • #3899435

      NetWare versus NT

      by netmetric ·

      In reply to NetWare versus NT

      NT does not alway simplify your network.

      Netware If you think by eliminating separate logins you’re simplifing your network, NDS for NT would help. There are also other Single Sign-on solutions available.

      The Zenworks product suite could simplify network administration for your network and assist you in rolling out new applications.

      Novell also offers Novell Admin Onsite Pro free to preferred customers that also can assist in managing your network.

      I would talk to your novell representive and and visit the novell web site. I sure many computer vendors would love to demonstate these products to you.

      I would recommend from that you consider these options before changing your entire server operating system.

      • #3735890

        NetWare versus NT

        by vikmat2 ·

        In reply to NetWare versus NT

        The question was auto-closed by TechRepublic

    • #3899433

      NetWare versus NT

      by aekland ·

      In reply to NetWare versus NT

      About a year ago we moved from a mixed novell and NT to NT only. We did not have many Novell servers and we were working to a single os on as few server platforms as possible. This has made things less complex and easier to manage. However this was because our previous setup had a mix of computer hardware and we were only using novell as a fileserver. I agree that novell does have its strong points and there are ways around multiple logins and programs to ease managment.
      Having only one OS cancertainly eliminate the hassles that integration brings as well as minimizing the amount a different knowledge that is needed to manage novell, nt, and unix.

      • #3735891

        NetWare versus NT

        by vikmat2 ·

        In reply to NetWare versus NT

        The question was auto-closed by TechRepublic

    • #3899421

      NetWare versus NT

      by pallan ·

      In reply to NetWare versus NT

      The other answers have seemed to focus on the OS itself. Most environments have different platforms for specific reasons, and it can be painful to cut them out. Whatever OS you end up with, consider that NDS will run on all of your platforms and would truly simplify network management. As the first answer pointed out, keeping NetWare would allow you to run ZENworks. There’s no better product out there (on any platform) for making your life easier.

      • #3735892

        NetWare versus NT

        by vikmat2 ·

        In reply to NetWare versus NT

        The question was auto-closed by TechRepublic

    • #3899415

      NetWare versus NT

      by inspectorclave ·

      In reply to NetWare versus NT

      I would also consider this…

      Novell is a pretty robust OS and is widely used in the enterprise. However, NT is becoming the predominant OS for small to medium size networks. With NT you need to consider your network needs, as NT has some pretty stiff hardware requirements for each server application. For example is recommended that you have one server to serve as a PDC, at least one server as a BDC, a separate server for your web site, and preferably one server for email. This is just for starters.

      • #3735893

        NetWare versus NT

        by vikmat2 ·

        In reply to NetWare versus NT

        The question was auto-closed by TechRepublic

    • #3899401

      NetWare versus NT

      by kevin anderson ·

      In reply to NetWare versus NT

      I administrate a similar sized mixed network as well. We Run Novell for our primary OS, and NT for our app servers. We have found that Netware is simply a better OS. Netware gives us options that do not exist with NT. Windows 2000 makes this problem worse. For example, as has been pointed out before, Zenworks is one of the best products ever made, and Novell gives it away free. It runs on most client machines as does NDS. MAD requires both the servers and the clients to ALL be running windows 2000 in order to achieve full functionality. Costs are not in NT’s favor when you’re honest about it. How often do you read about security vulnerabilities on NT? How about Netware? As has already been pointed out, NT suggests 3 machines where a similar setup with Netware would require only one.

      You give up alot when you leave netware and go to NT. Flexability and choice will probablly be the ones that hurt most. Though, more money spent on hardware leaves less for your pay raise too…

      • #3735894

        NetWare versus NT

        by vikmat2 ·

        In reply to NetWare versus NT

        The question was auto-closed by TechRepublic

    • #3899399

      NetWare versus NT

      by zinnix ·

      In reply to NetWare versus NT

      I had the same config as yours, but half the users. we where cross WAN in three seperate lands.
      I can tell you one thing: NDS.
      Why?
      1) nds is in it’s version 8, meaning it is robust, well-known, checked and approved by millions of users, and thusdans of companies.
      Active Directory is only starting now.
      2) Netware server demand much less hardware power. a pII 266+256MB is a monster for netware 4
      3) Netware comes with zen starter pack, which enables
      you to disturb application to all your clients.
      the full pack costs money, and gives you:
      remote control,hardware inventor, software meteric.
      4) novell has 5 clients of oracle. many companies can use this
      fact and don’t buy another server just for oracle. (see section 2 for hardware demand).
      5) With novell you don’t have to rebuild all your clients.
      to make sure u gain full features from win2000,
      u need to convery ALL your clients to win2000.
      in novell, u just apgrate the client.
      6) Netware 5, comes with many nds schema extendars, meaning u can m

      • #3735895

        NetWare versus NT

        by vikmat2 ·

        In reply to NetWare versus NT

        The question was auto-closed by TechRepublic

    • #3899312

      NetWare versus NT

      by tylerdurden ·

      In reply to NetWare versus NT

      I’ve worked with Netware in the past (v3.x) and have found that it’s (a) more difficult (or at least less straightforward) to administer and (b) it’s typically a must faster file server and generally more stable than NT. I’ve never worked with the more recent versions of Netware.

      From an administrative perspective, however, a network is generally much easier to administer the fewer network OSes you’ve got to contend with. Issues such as user account creation, security (i.e., rights, permissions), application integration, etc. are all simplified by standardizing on a particular OS.

      Things to consider:
      1. Netware is generally more stable and a better file server
      2. The industry trend seems to be moving away from Netware toward NT. With Win2K, this trend may be more apparent.
      3. I’ve been running a 50-NT server, 350-user network for 3 years now with relatively no major problems. To me, NT is stable enough. Just don’t believe everything MS tells you (product hype, releasedates) and avoid v1.

      • #3735896

        NetWare versus NT

        by vikmat2 ·

        In reply to NetWare versus NT

        The question was auto-closed by TechRepublic

    • #3898964

      NetWare versus NT

      by techrepublic ·

      In reply to NetWare versus NT

      I personally prefer NT. We have recently upgraded our entire network from Novel to NT.
      There are some features that some would use to justify Novel, but NT definately consoldiates logins and administration. The term “simplify” needs to be qualifiedthough, there may be a learning curve if your technical staff is not familair with the industry standard Microsoft “way”, but with a little training you can mater Windows and have full control over all of your network “Objects”. You may want to lookinto Win2000 as Active Directory is awsome. Look at your pay check also… Microsoft certification demands $$$$$$$$ in the job market… My income has Quadrupled (staying at the same company over 2 1/2 years) going from MCP to MCSE. In summary Microsoft is the standard of choice for the future.

      • #3735897

        NetWare versus NT

        by vikmat2 ·

        In reply to NetWare versus NT

        The question was auto-closed by TechRepublic

    • #3735889

      NetWare versus NT

      by vikmat2 ·

      In reply to NetWare versus NT

      This question was auto closed due to inactivity

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