My company is looking at buying a new file server (15 users doing word processing, broadband Internet connection) and we're planning to run it under Windows Server 2003, rather then Netware. Main reason is that many more people seem to be using WS2003 then Netware, meaning there is more support, easier to get personnel who know that system, etc. However, a system consultant told me he has grave reservations about us going to Windows Server 2003, claiming it is very unreliable (less then 2 weeks between reboots he says). He thinks Netware is much more reliable. I would be grateful for any feedback on the reliability of Windows Server 2003. If you're using it, how reliable is it for you? Thanks in advance, Matt Perdeck IT manager Bicycle NSW

Obviously the person giving you this advice is a Netware technician. Ask a linux tech and he'd tell you linux is best and the same goes for most Windows types (ie: they'll tell you Windows is best). What I'm trying to say is, it's fairly subjective and the answer you get will depend heavily on who you ask and what platform they work with most. I can tell you this much. My first introduction to networking was on Novell. I feel it's probably a better platform...or used to be. However, due to the fact that Novell has always relied on someone else for the client side (namely Windows) Novell has lost a lot of the market share to Windows. What this means to you is, there are a lot more qualified Windows technicians out there than there are Novell techs. Which means if you go with a Windows server platform you won't be locked in to one tech/admin. You'll have the ability to pick and choose just who you want to set your server up and maintain it for you. And if for some reason you decide you don't like the person you have, you can change your mind with a lot less hassles. Technically, is Novell better than Windows 2003, I honestly couldn't say today as I haven't touched Novell in a long time and haven't even seen it in the market place in a year or two. I've been working with Windows for quite a few years now and I would have to say that 2003 is a pretty reliable OS. We have two 2003 servers running in our office. The main one for the internal network has been up and running just fine without being rebooted even once in the entire year I've been with this company. The other one is one I built and installed about 3 months ago which hasn't been rebooted once since. Both are working perfectly.

Agree with Curt R, I have 4 2003 Server and they work fine since September 2003. I just reboot them when I install an update.

Well there is a bigger picture here. The "consultant" obviously doesn't know what he is talking about because he is completely wrong. Two weeks between reboots? Is he insane? So, to mask his incompetance or bias, he is giving you false information. It would make me wonder what sort of information he'd give you about Novell. So, the bottom line is he is either just misinformed and therefore incompetant, or he is just flat out lying to you. In either case, I'd fire him and hire a real consultant that can give you accurate information for you to base your decision on. Your question about Windows 2003 reliability. I have approx. 75 Windows 2000 and/or 2003 servers that I manage. I just rebooted on that had been up for 465 days since last reboot. Windows 2003 is exceptionally reliable assuming it is set up by a competent technician. If this guy is getting two weeks between reboots it should tell you even more about his skills or lack thereof. Good luck.

Also, for the size your looking at (15 Users) Id consider Small Business Server 2003 Premium (as this has the ISA & SQL as well) All on one box. Works well here, only time we might schedule reboot, is when an update is applied.

How often are updates applied?

I run a netware, unixware and microsoft shop. My 2000/2003 MS servers running Citrix require more attention and reboots than either the netware or unix boxes. Your focus shouldn't be on which NOS but on what applications you will be running. The platform the apps run on the best is the one to go with. The rest doesn't matter.