At work we have a server running Netware 3.12 with 98 workstations. As we run a custom written program in DOS that suits our purposes beautifully, this setup works great. About 8 years ago, I built the server we are running. So far, so good, but one day soon it has to be ready to bite the dust. What I need to know is what available hardware I can use to build a new server that will be workable with 3.12? It is now running an 8 gig IDE drive, 450 AMD CPU, 128 mg memory. I would like to stay with AMD, but what will work with this version? How much memory and what type can I use? How big can the IDE HD be? Any and all help greatly appreciated.

I have had the same problem in the past. I desidet to install the netware 3.12 in a vertual machine. In my case I used VMware Server, that is free to use software. Works great, and you don't have to think about old hardware. In worst case, you can simply install VMware Server to another machine, copy the files of the Netware Virtual Machine to the new machine and continue working. Maybe it's also suitable for you.

Thank you very kindly for your help. However, all the VMware servers I found were very expensive...with a 60 day free trial, but then the license quits. Virtual machine is something I have no knowledge or experience in. Since you mentioned it, I may dl a 60 day trial and a bunch of info and try to learn more. However, for now I don't want to try it in the workplace and be shot for screwing up the server. At some point in time I may be able to see that as the way to go, but for now, I can still use any info on what available hardware I can use to build a new machine that will run the 3.12. Thank you all for any info you can give.

VMware Infrastructure, VMware Workstation a.s.o. are 60 days trial versions, but the VMware Server is a free to use version. However, for the Netware 3.12, the disadvantage is, that the new hardware is not supported. So if some of the old hardware gets corrupt, it's always a big, big problem. That's the reason, why I desided to use actual hardware and a virtual environment. If you're interested in testing with non time limited VMware Server, download her. http://www.vmware.com/go/getserver