Novell or Microsoft?

[annsolomon]

I'm a database developer who, until the last year and a half, worked under Microsoft networks. Our network (Novell) administrator (we are the entire MIS dept) is totally against Microsoft saying there are too many security risks.

Cox Communications hosts our email and recently told us that, because we've grown larger, we should consider doing our own email under MS Exchange. I've use Exchange Server in the past and love it but don't know how to bring the network administrator around. Is is true that MS Exchange Server has to work in a Windows environment? Can anybody point me to an unbiased source that compares the pros and cons of Novell vs Microsoft network operating systems?

 

[summoner]

I've worked with novell directory services and microsoft active directory. AD is honestly the biggest piece of crap I've ever touched...I really don't know how Microsoft can lie to its customers about how great AD is and how it trounces on novell. But thats my opinion. But yes exchange requires a windows platform and active directory. To see a good comparision between AD capabilities and NDS capabilities:

http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/netware/features/a_demo_w2k_nw6.html

Also spend an hour or 2 here:

http://www.hanug.org/special-10-00.htm

 

[annsolomon]

summoner, thanks for the help. My browser couldn't find the first link you gave but the second looks like it's going to be great and I'm on it right now.
Thanks again!
Ann

 

[summoner]

If you have access to either server I highly suggest you try the test. Even though this is on novell's site, it is an accurate test and I don't beleive its biased. Here is the link again

http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/netware/features/a_demo_w2k_nw6.html

 

[KingE]

I'm in the same senario but we have to use exchange due to the corporation using it however everything else is Novell. I am a MS guy but am open to the Novell way of networking. We plan to use DirXML to synch the edirectory with AD and control admin through edirectory. There is a DirXML connector for exchange2000, however you could use a single machine as a Win2k domain controller, install exchange2000 on same machine (depending on size)and have users as contacts within AD to enable mailboxes. This would eliminate dual administration if you do not want to attach the two directory services or administer two sets of user accounts

 

[annsolomon]

KingE, I have a feeling you may be giving me a way to do what I want (use MS Exchange) without having to give up our Novell network. But, my networking knowledge is extremely limited so I really don't understand what you're saying. Do you have the time to put your message into "networking English for Dummies"? Thanks.
Ann

 

[rjs]

I have used both for many (too many) years. In my experience, NetWare is more secure, more stable and more efficient in just about every regard. My client base is about 50-50. I spend more time doing patches and security fixes on MS than NetWare.

However, this is a NetWare forum. Have you asked the same question on the Windows 2000 forum?

As for Exchange vs. GroupWise, again I favor GW even though we use Exchange in our office. The only thing about Exchange that GroupWise cannot touch is the Contacts. I've had clients switch to Exchange for just that reason. But then I've never had a GroupWise client automatically mail viruses to everyone in the address book.

 

[Provogeek]

annsolomon,

Sounds like you are actually an Outlook fan. Many offices use Outlook as their e-mail client because that is what most users like to use since it is what they can use at home for free when they download and install IE 6 that comes with (and your not given a choice not to install it on WIn2K) it's own mail client Outlook Express. The look and feel between Express and the full Outlook client is no different (atleast I haven't seen a difference). The only difference I have seen is the setup pages. So a lot of companies are using the Outlook client; but arn't using Exchange as the mail server. Exchange is pricy and takes a lot of managment, simple pop servers are cheep and easy to use and administer (SendMail for example). Since Outlook comes with Office, and most business use Office (in fact I think it comes with the individual componenets as well, but hell, you can download it for free also), and Outlook can access POP mail boxes, people use it. You may give M$ the finger once you ran real numbers and saw they count their Exchange client base from the number of Outlook clients, not the number of clients on Exchange servers. Microsoft's market share is a huge lie in the electronic mail market.

Now if all you really want to do is use the Outlook client, you can. Novell has released a plugin for Outlook that will allow you to use GroupWIse as your mail store and Outlook as the client. You do however loose the functionlaity of a busy search and reoccuring appointments, two features engineers and programers usually don't give a crap about.

BTW: You have already found out that Exchange 2000 (the only version you can get now) depends on Windows and it must have Active Directory (Domains on steroids, not a directory). GroupWise however can run on both NetWare and Windows and offeres clients for Windows, Mac, and Unix enviroments. It does depend on the Directory, but being cross platform gives you many many options to choose from in your configurations. Brent Schmidt CNE, Network +
Senior Network Engineer
provogeek@hotmail.com
East Bay, California; USA

 

[annsolomon]

Thank you all for sharing your experience and ideas. I'll share these with our network administrator and support whatever decision he makes.

Ann