Convert from NetWare to Microsoft? 1

[3dawgs]

Hi, folks. Here at work, I've got mostly Windows servers for things such as Citrix, SQL, etc...but I've also got a NetWare 6.5 server that runs GroupWise. All of my workstations have the Novell client on them for logging in, but to be honest, other than GroupWise, there really aren't many apps that reside on the Novell server.

I think I'd like to just do away with the Novell server, and be all-Microsoft. This would obviously mean migrating all my clients over to Windows, as well as converting GroupWise to Exchange. I just find working on the Novell server extremely cumbersome, and getting tech support for things like antivirus and backup software is a flat out pain. I realize it's my own ignorance that makes it difficult, but I don't have all day to figure out all the nuances of Novell.

So, how much of a nightmare am I setting myself up for here? Is this a worthy endeavor, or should I give it up and just live w/ Novell?

 

[LawnBoy]

Groupwise will run on windows. You don't need the Netware client for Groupwise.

I am in the process of converting from NW6.5 to AD (it's being forced on me). This is a screaming nightmare. It's as if I've gone from painting a landscape to scratching in the sand with a stick.

Just wait 'till you try to map user permissions from eDir to AD. I'm ready to shoot myself (and anybody else who is unfortunate enough to stick their head in my office).

Maybe I should go back to welding. Steel pretty much does what you expect.

"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[3dawgs]

Aw, mannnnn....crap! Is it really that bad? What email system do you use? Are you also converting from GroupWise to Exchange by any chance?

 

[LawnBoy]

No, we're leaving GW alone for now. There's been talk of switching to Exchange in 12 - 18 months, but I'm in denial and don't even want to talk about it at the moment. I'll probably relinquish my local PO when that happens and let the WAN boys run all the email services. Having to babysit AD is going to be plenty of extra load, I don't need the headache of Exchange on top of it.

Provided I even survive the AD conversion. Right now I've got one foot on a banana peel and the other on my resignation...



"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[LawnBoy]

Oh, in answer to your first question, it's worse than I ever imagined.


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[mstoumba]

I can't tell you how many people ask if they should move off of novell. What they mean is Netware right? Groupwise is just as happy on netware as windows or even LINUX. Why do you want to move something that is working for you? Is the server broke or giving you problems? There are loads of people out there to support you and your groupwise.