Hi everyone at NetwerKin.com,

I'm a computer techsupport and I have to change the technology in a compagny from Novell 5.1 to ......let's say something else!

We are using 2 Novell Servers 5.1 Both are mounted in RADI5 (with 20gigs hard drives). One of the 2 servers has the tape backup and also has a second RAID1 set of 40gigs harddrive. These hards are only there for the marketing guys. (big Corel files...ect ect.)
Both servers are PIII 800Mhz (single CPU) with 1gigs SDRAM on CUV4X Mobo. The Scsi Cards installed are the Adaptec 29160.

Both servers are linked together directly from NIC. And the 2nd server is mirroring everything. The server is also running a backup everynight. So our backup solutions are as follow: 2 servers, the 2nd is mirror of the 1st and the backup device is backuping everything from the mirror server.
The users are working during the day on server 1. They are autenthifying to server 1 and all the printers, sofwares, home directories.....ect ect.....is on server 1.

For our (sucky!) internet connection we are stuck on a dual ISDN link. (that gives us 128k...whooo hooo!!!!.....the direction doesnt want to pay for a T1 yet) These microlink are hooked to a Cisco 1000 router. We are using a Novell Firewall, bordware or something I think, Novell anyways....
And our Lan, is made up of 25 station, using IPX/SPX for Intranet and TCP/IP for web and everything that has to do with the outside. Our 25 users are connected to 2 switch/hub (model DLink DFE-2426ix and a DFE-2426i)

Bassically everything works fine, except that Novell is giving me a hard time since i'm not really a Novell guy. I prefer NT. But i need help about some stuff:

1- Is our hard hard good enough or appropriate for a technology (O/S) switch ?

2-What kind of Firewall should i use once I switch the servers O/S ?

3-How much would cost a Mirroring software for the backup server if i'm moving to XP or 2000 ?

4-Are XPs and 2000s Servers stables enough to make this kind of change ?

5-Will this improve speed and network accessibilty on our Network ?

6-Will I be able to manage everything from remote ?

7- To move from Novell to Microsoft like that is it expensive ?

So i would appreciate if someone could be of assistance in tis. I just need advises.
Thanks.

WOW!!! LOTS of issues. First off, do lots of planning. And go over this planning scheme like 20 million times. I'm assuming you'll be looking at going to Active Directory, so alos make sure you can afford all the Client Access Licenses (CALs). So I'll try to chime in on some of your questions....

1. Yes, your hardware should be good enough, better run through the HCL to make sure it works. I'd suggest going out and spending some money on a new one, maybe work the "time is money" angle, and how disk drives are huge now, so your marketing guys would be happy with bigger drives...

2.What kind of firewall is up to you, suggest going with a seperate piece of equipement so it's OS independent. Maybe a Cisco Pix??

3. Mirroring software? If you are implementing a RAID system, hardware RAID is faster and more reliable. But if you want to use software RAID, then W2K has some built-in (as does XP).

4. W2K servers are solid and reliable now, after you get in all the updates (just don't install IIS). As for XP... it's not released yet, but will further push the W2K envelope, so it should be an easier upgrade.

5. Network speed? hmm not too sure there. This usually depends on the type of wiring, any crosstalk on the lines, the amount and type of data flowing through it, as well as security issues and the network cards in the machines. LOTS of variables to look through. Overall, I doubt it could make it that much worse....

6. Remote management with W2K is fairly easy. Just instal the Terminal Service in Remote Admin mode. This will allow you, with the correct security settings to access the servers from anywhere in the world using a terminal services client (one on the W2K CD, or the built-in XP). This will again depend on the connections and permissions.....

7. yes, to move from Novell to Microsoft is basically like building a network from scratch, except that you've already got the hardware. LOTS of money in CALs and server OSs. So make sure you've got EVERYTHING planned and budgeted. Maybe it might work for you to buy a newer server and begin slowly shifting people to a W2K network.

Anyway, lots of luck and remember to think things through.....

Lucid covered it pretty well. It's a big, big job and you're going to need some outside consultants to help with the implementation. A Pix would require another outside guy as even most router guys tremble at the sight of a Pix.

I have to say thanks in the first times guy/gal for your answer there.

I forgot to mention that the firewall is a complete 3rd system with a software in it. It is more like a proxy server.

Ok, I'll try to think about all you said above tomorrow morning because it is still 1:18a.m here and i just dropped here to see if any answers were awaiting, thanks Lucid and TechTony.

I know that this is a big project, it could sounds more like a "we are rebuilding everything from scratch.." then a just simple switch over but i think its a crazy change that we most go trought to get more productivity.

Talk to ya soon. =)

Seal-X

I have done conversions before.... From Novell to Win 2k etc.. I would suggest setting up a 3rd server with Win 2k Server on it and slowly start migrating users and data on it... When your done with the migration you can use the other 2 servers for file sharing, web hosting, email hosting etc..

If you want to migrate user info and data automatically from novell to win2k you need to buy Netware services for Windows 2000 as well, otherwise create the new accounts manually and copy the data