Setting Up NW6

[tcstudio]

I am looking to setup Netware 6 on our server which is currently running Netware 5 with service pack 5. I have download service pack 6 and will install this first and then proceed to the upgrade to netware 6. But i need a bit of information and background advice. Should i setup NW6 with TCP/IP or IPX/SPX, how good is the new rconsole program, is it only userable through IE, Do printers still take up a licenses, Is there a basic list of things i should setup and are there any major changes i should be aware of.
The server is a Dell poweredge 4400, 2 * 1g Xeon processors, 2gb Ram, 3d perc raid controllor, 4 * 20mb SCSI hd in a raid 5 array configuration.

 

[Guest_imported]

The question on protocols is somewhat dependent on whether or not you have any old apps that still require IPX/SPX. If not, I'd go with TCP/IP. The old RConsole still works if you use IPX/SPX. If not, RConsoleJ works great or you can access console screens through the web Netware Remote Manager. If you use NDPS to print, printers should not take up a license.

 

[Guest_imported]

The only real big change from the administrative point is the management console. Good old NWAdmin is being phased out and is quite limited now. Console One is the preferred tool, however seems to be quite slow on older PC's.

NDPS printers do not use licenses, and the setup and\or conversion from queue based is pretty slick. I set up NDPS and converted about 12 printers in less than an hour. Pushed them out to the workstations and that was about it. Well, until it hit the XP workstations, but that is a different story and not Netwares fault. XP is evil.

As far as IPX goes, unless you need rconsole, or have apps and\r routing through the frame that requires IPX, dump it. Run pure IP. You can then use Rconj and or the Java based screens in the web based management console. Those will run on anything from Win9x, Macs, Unix, blah blah. I admin my servers regularly from my Suse Linux box. The only thing that is flaky with the Java consoles is the screens for Backup Exec 9.0. They have a tendency to get weird from time to time. But that product has a new super nifty windows based interface.

As far as caveats to installs, just make sure your existing server is packed with the latest and greatest, make sure NDS is happy and healthy, and let it fly.

Dan

goz101@yahoo.com

 

[gillis]

tcstudio

Hi - did you upgrade and, if so, how did it go? I am in the process of ordering the software and will soon be upgrading from 5 also. I've been administering the network for years but have not worked through an upgrade. Should I consider doing myself or pay the $$$ to have someone come in?

Thanks for any input,

jg

 

[seemetoo]

The iManager (brower) is the preferred way to manage the server, then Console1, followed by NWAdmin. You will want to do your homework before you upgrade to NW6. Like the fact that Backup Exec 9.0 will not backup open files on a NSS volume--can you live with that until 9.1 comes out. Also programs like ACT! doesn't like NSS volumes. Don't forget to get all the patches that you need to add to the server and the client after you install "THE" SUPPORT PACK. There are three little patches that stop the GroupWise clients from locking up. Make sure your NDS tree is HEALTHY!! Do your purge /all on all your volumes and make sure you have enough free space on the SYS volume and your DOS partition needs free space too. You will (may) want to keep this in mind too, BorderManager can't cache to a NSS volume. So if you decide to backup a volume, remove it and re-add it as a NSS volume can prove to be a waste of time. Run NWDeploy before you do anything with the real installation of NW6, as this has uncovered things that you can't see with the plain old eye ball. For those of you that will be upgrading across the wire, NW4.x needs to be at DS 6.16 which doesn't come with the Support Pack. Have a nice day!!