mix enet-tkring to full enet

[rsebasti]

I am planning to go full ethernet - I was wondering if someone could provide some:

info
guidelines
steps
past experience
link to info

In achieving a change from a mixed setup to a pure ethernet network from a mixed one.

Target to make both SYD4 and HUB fully on enet.

Heres the situation

Note: SYD4 and HUB are in one location
All Novell 5 servers
SYD4
Nics
2x enet and 1x tkring (main link tkring)

HUB
Nics
1x enet and 1x tkring

BNE1
Nics
1x tkring

MEL1
Nics
1x tkring

FRE1
Nics
1x tkring

ADE1
Nics
1x tkring

========================================
I learnt the most
when I stopped talking...

 

[DrGreen26]

Wow, does this bring back memories.

1. Develop a network Diagram of the current network, as to where it is today. Detail out what is where and how it is connected and IP addressing and IPX addressing if any.

2. Develop a migration plan for workstations, servers, routers, switches etc. You must be specific and detailed about how to convert any one device from one platform to another and you must include some sort of testing to co-incide so you know the change will work or has worked.

3. Start with small changes, the IS group gets migfrated off TR first, then another dept etc. etc. The key to this is to make the transistion as transparent as you possibly can. THis should follow after changes or modifications have been made to the routers and switches to support the changes.

4. Finally, after everything is said and done, migrate the servers.

5. Update all documetation, this will be key, because without it, how will you know what you did and where things are.

KEY ITEM: Testing Testing Testing...if you document it and don't test it, chances are it won't work. Better yet, you write a migration procedure, and have someone else perform it, if they can get through it with no problems and everything works, you're good to go, if they have problems, then go back and make modifications as necessary.

Also, no on person is all knowing, put together a group of folks to work with you on performing this, that way, you know you wont miss anything.

HTH
Mark C. Greenwood, CNE
m_jgreenwood@yahoo.com

With more than 10 years experience to share.

 

[rsebasti]

DrMarkGreen: Thanks heaps but - we already have that down pat. The target is to get SYD4 and the HUB fully enet. Remove their tkring Nics.

I am faced with possible issues but they are unclear. Which I am hoping you could help me with. ========================================
I learnt the most
when I stopped talking...

 

[DrGreen26]

Well, after reviewing your doc, it seems as though everything has a an alternate connection that being the two devices you mentioned earlier.

What I would do is the following:

A. Make sure routers default path (if any) is directed to use the ethernet subnet for communicating with these two devices.

B. As soon as you can verfiy that users can hit the server and no Token Ring activity is present, I would disable the token-ring card, and verify access.

C. Once you have verified your access, I would have a user login from a workstation and/or remote site and make sure they can access it.

I can't think of any problems other than a router not knowing the default path to route the request. The other thing to check is any applications that may be IP or protocol dependent, just to verify that those things dont rely on TR for their communications.

If I think of anything else I will pass it along. But I wouldn't worry, it seems like you have the additional card, and once you disable Tr on the server, it should start communicating on the ethernet side with not problems.

HTH
Mark C. Greenwood, CNE
m_jgreenwood@yahoo.com

With more than 10 years experience to share.

 

[rsebasti]

What about slpda settings? DHCP? DNS? which order? etc ========================================
I learnt the most
when I stopped talking...