Novell vs NT

[Ladyhawk]

I currently have the choice of sticking with having an NT server as a domain controller or using a Novell Netware server running Zenworks as a domain controller. My section uses mainly Microsoft products including Microsoft SourceSafe (of which the database is on the NT Server). Does anyone have any pros and cons about whether or not I should move to the Novell Netware server?

Ladyhawk.
** ASP/VB/Java Programmer **

 

[Provogeek]

You question is a pretty loaded question. NetWare pros will tell you NetWare is the way to go and Windows will only cause problems and is slower, Windows pros will tell you Windows is the way to go and Novell is a dying company (which it is not).

Do what you feel is best, do what you are comfortable with, do what you know. You may choose netware and think it is the greatest thing since the wheel, or you may just end up hating it.

NetWare can not function as a Domain controller. If you purchase ZENWorks it will be version 6. This will give you all of the great features of desktop managment and server managment it include, but in no way does the NetWare server act like a domain controller. It CAN sync NDS data with a Windows domain.

Windows does have it's workstation managment suite (windows people please enlighten us, I'm not familure with those products).

Lets see what kind of debate you have started Ladyhawk. These can always be fun, but lets have some ground rules guys (the last debate got removed from the forum because it got a bit heated). NO KNOCKING or FLAIMING. Just give personal opinions based on personal experience and facts, not myths or FUD.

Provogeek

Saving the world, one network at a time

 

[Ladyhawk]

I have experienced people in both so I guess it just comes down to what is better for what the my section needs. On the Zenworks side, the only advantage that I have been told so far is that I get a UBD on the desktop (well this is definitely a reason to change... NOT!). On the NT side, people have told me that there are fewer problems using Microsoft SourceSafe from an NT Server. The other option I have is to use Novell as the domain controller, but leave the NT server setup as an application server.

Ladyhawk.
** ASP/VB/Java Programmer **

 

[smlull]

Ladyhawk, I am in a mixed environment. Novell 4.2, 5.1 and 6, plus an NT4 domain and Windows 2000 servers. I have about 3500+ users, 1900 workstations and servers ranging from a (ack! workstation PII/233 w/64 meg) to a DEC Alpha. I am moving from Zenworks 3.2 to 4. I currently have eDirectory (NDS for NT) and it works very well. I'm extremely happy. (I'm a diehard DOS fan) Windows does things Novell doesn't, and vice/versa.
I'm not sure about SourceSafe, but I installed Netware 6 to support the Zenworks piece. Zenworks had some added functionality being loaded on NW6. You can load Zenworks 4 (I assume 6 too) on a Windows 2000 box.
I have not heard of any way to use Netware as a domain controller. Even with my eDirectory I still have a PDC and 4 BDC's. And the more power on them the better.

Hope that helps,
Scott

 

[Provogeek]

Like I said, the Novell server will not act as a domain controller in any way. HOWEVER, you can use a NetWare 6 server as a storage facility using domain credentials to authenticate with out (as some Windows gurus will say) infecting your workstations with the Novell client. A new feature in NW6 is Native File Access Protocol. It nice as it give the windows world the speed and high avilability of a NetWare server with out any client. As far as the workstations are care, it's just another windows file server.

Provogeek

Saving the world, one network at a time

 

[Psychoid]

I promise to stay out of this discussion



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Bill
Consultant / Network Engineer
CNE, CCNA