Novell Netware to Windows 2000

[alocurto]

I am helping my friend upgrade his office network from Novell Netware to Windows 2000. I am not sure what is stored on the Novell server but I am assuming that it is user information as well as data. I plan to find out more tomorrow. Has anyone done this before? It doesn't seem like a difficult task (15-20) client computers. Can you give me any heads ups? I have the Microsoft white papers on it and I am looking through them now but I wanted to know if anyone knows of any troubles which might occur or any accidents they have had in the past. Thanks.

 

[alocurto]

little help ^

 

[alocurto]

^

 

[pmailloux]

Well obviously, depends on how the novel is setup but the last one I did, all I had to do was setup one pc to log in to the 2000 domain and left its settings to log into the novell still and then just copied all the data from the novel drive to the 2000 server, (both had mapped drives) then it was pretty simple from there on out, removing the novel login stuff and voila now have a 2000 domain.

 

[Nothinman]

You'll have to redo all the user accounts and file ACLs, but I assme you know that already.

Personally I think you're performing a downgrade, but that's me.

 

[drag]

what version of novell networks are you using?
(could be a ancient version that pre-dates current network information stuff)

Personally I would stick with novell if isn't to old. It's much better design then AD and doesn't require nearly as hefty hardware as w2k does.

But I am sure that you check out MS's site I bet they have a few examples of migrations.

Other then that... maybe if we had some more information....

 

[NetWareHead]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

Personally I think you're performing a downgrade, but that's me.

 

[alocurto]

I have no other information right now. Basically the guy wants to change it for easier administration. This is what I am told, when I get more information I will post it here. Thanks for the responses.

 

[gdtaylor]

Basically the guy wants to change it for easier administration.

Easier administration? Having worked with both Novell Netware and Windows 2000 I know which I would prefer for "easier administration". Novell Netware requires a little time and effort to learn but once you know you would never want to go back to Windows-based file and print servers. What version of Netware are we talking about? If it's less than version 5 then an upgrade would certainly be in order but I would think long and hard before "upgrading" to Windows 2000.

 

[mobogasm]

one question. why does the novell clients for windows slow down systems so much?? is it just me? Especially when browsing nt shares on a win2k client with the novell client installed, it slows to a crawl. Is this microsoft trying to kill competitors or is this a configuration problem?

 

[Nothinman]

I would blame the Novell MUP driver, it can be fixed with tweaking though. Also if you map a drive instead of using UNC paths it runs at normal speeds.

 

[alocurto]

I talked to him on the phone and I am going to see him tomorrow to talk more about the change. Basically he wants to go all windows because apparently there is trouble with XP and what not. I think it may just be that they are installing an older Novell Client.
The owner of the company wants to get away from Novell and go to Windows because he feels that Windows is the future and Novell is getting weaker. Who can say what will really happen but I can't agree nor disagree with that. I know of a few places that have been going to active directory over Novell.
I'll have the full information tomorrow.

 

[NetWareHead]

Have him upgrade all the clients to 4.83 service pack 2 I believe is the latest. With ACU (auto client update) its pretty easy. Check out this page http://www.novell.com/documentation/lg/noclienu/index.html For client speed issues including that MUP problem check out http://www.ithowto.com/novell/clientspeed.htm

 

[alocurto]

I talked to the guy in charge today and he said that the printing was slow on some machines, he is sick of having to install netware client on machines, there were troubles with Novell and XP and he just wants to go all windows so everything can tie together. I know a lot of people on here are Netware people and have strong belief in Netware and many people are anti-Microsoft but do you think this guy is way off? We are talking about a network with only 20-30 computers on it and even less users.

Bottom line: Is it really insane to want to go from Netware to 2000 to avoid installing the client and other garbage? Do you think Novell is on the way out?

 

[NetWareHead]

What version of netware...anything 4 or lower that uses IPX and I'd understand. Even 5 is great and 6 rocks. Netware 6 does not require a client anymore for file and print services, something called native file access packs lets a netware server emulate a windows xerver by speaking SMB/CIFS to windows workstations. Clients log in with the regular microsoft client. I recommend netware to all my clients, it keeps my support costs lower and those servers just keep working for years at a time. I install M$ too, but they end up costing me more money in the long run to support, fix, disinfect etc... I've had some instances where a MS server/network has performed to my satisfaction but in most cases no. With novell, I never lose the gamble.

Botom line: if his problem with netware is just the client, then propose netware 6 and native file access pack. Its even cheaper than a comparable MS solution. His printing issue...that requires some more details, have him start a thread here and see if it can be fixed.

 

[SaigonK]

It isnt that slick, it can be quite a pain in the ass with simple password management and what not.
I would agree that once it is working it is very nice for those who do not have the novell client.

But if you are going to upgrade to Netware 6 then use the client, it will give you all the management tools you want, removing it would be a waste of your time and money.
Installing NFAP to get around the novell client is ridiculous if you intend to spend the cash to get a netware 6 server.

 

[Doomer]

Novell is like Chinese. Either you know it or you don't. If you don't then prepared to be severely raped, cheated and left to bleed by someone who does.

At least that's the way it is around here. I know quite a few business owners who have dumped Novell for the simple reason that it's far too expensive to maintain and it's far too cryptic for the end user to even begin to perform the simplest of tasks.

Besides all this, it runs on top of DOS so how can it claim to be a OS ?

Admittedly, I know very little about Novell and never intend to change because it's a dead OS in my neck of the woods.