Where to Start with Netware??? 1

[lalato]

I don't know much about the inner workings of Netware, and I have a client that is on a Netware 5 based network. All of the clients are Win 9x. I usually do the Win 9x and Mac support. The Macs are not set up as Netware clients. I also do Crystal Reports work for this client, but that's not what I'm writing about.

The client asks me questions about troubleshooting Netware problems on occasion, but I can't offer any help. Where can I get a good start on learning Netware basics? Simple things like

-how to add or remove a user
-how to setup a printer
-how to install the client properly

Part of the reason I want to know is that the client's computer lease will be up in about 1 year and they will begin upgrading their client machines. I want to make sure I can make the transition as smooth as possible.

Thanks for any into...
--sam

 

[Provogeek]

This may not be what you are actually looking for, but it will be your best option (and less typing on a CNE's part in answering your question).

http://www.novell.com/education/train_product/netware5x.html

This is the Novell education site. Look at course 550, it's basic administration of NetWare and will provide you with the basics you need. Also, it will give you the material to go get a CNA (Certified NetWare Admin), the CNA cert is just one test .. CNE is 7 tests. If you go all out for NetWare cert (which you may do once you find out how kewl NetWare is), don't be dicouraged by Microsoftians that tell you Novell will be out of business soon .. cause it ain't happening. People are looking at stock prices, and all Novell does is NetWorking. M$ does desktop, server, office productivity, web tv, msn, msnbc, XBox and a butt load of other markets and the only market M$ is having a hard time with is the gaming console market. So of course M$ will be worth a lot more than Novell, they do a lot more than Novell. Brent Schmidt CNE, Network +
Senior Network Engineer
provogeek@hotmail.com
East Bay, California; USA

 

[lalato]

Thanks for the link.

However, the most basic course I saw on that page was 560... and $500 is a little steep to get my feet wet. I didn't see a course 550... perhaps it's been discontinued.

Can you recommend a book(s) instead. I just want to get a basic grasp of Netware.

Although a CNA isn't out of the question, my main focus right now is data mining and business intelligence.

Thanks again...
--sam

 

[FredWagner]

Simple answer - check the PUBLIC directory, look for NWADMIN or something similar (NWADMN3X), run it, right click on the object that has all the users, choose create, User, fill in the blanks - when in doubt, check the settings for users already running.
Installing the client for Win95 - copy the compressed executable to the workstation, run it, take the defaults - it will find the server. (for the latest, download from support.novell.com)
Setting up an existing printer - from the desktop, right click on network neighborhood, click on Movell Capture Printer port, choose a port, browse the printer queue you need.
Setting up a new printer from scratch - save some hassle, use the JETADMIN.exe that ships with all HP Jetdirect networking products. Run it on a Novell-logged in workstation as a user with Novell Admin rights, let it create the Novell objects for you!
I have a lot of Novell and Win2K books, but hardly ever use them! Once you have the concepts, it's just using common sense. Fred Wagner
frwagne@longbeach.gov

 

[fitzdr]

Thought I would throw in my two cents. Any library will have several books on NW50. Just remember that basic Netware managment is easy, I can usually get a new person handling accounts, groups, printer etc. Within 2-3 hours.

Ask around, most Netware Guru's would be happy to give you an hour to get you started.

 

[lalato]

I had not thought of going to my friendly neighborhood library. Thanks for the tip.

--sam