Win2003 Networking Alternative

Hi - Our current network consists of 50+ WinXP clients & 2 Win2003 Servers
(Apps, etc.) running on a Novell Network (don't ask why). Clients log in via
Novell etc. In case of Novell network failure what would be an alternative
networking solution so that users may still access servers, printers etc. I
was thinking Active Directory??? Please let me know if you require further
details as I am a .NET Developer, not a Network guy by any stretch of the
imagination.

Thank You in Advance - burton

You can't play "mix & match"
It is not possible to have one type of Administrative System (like a Windows
AD Domain) act as a "fall back" for another Administrative System (like
Novel). In fact it is not even possible with two Windows AD Domians.

There is no such thing as a Novel Network failure because Novel is not a
"network",...it is an administrative system. You can have a Novel Server
failure,...and that is solved by having good Backups to restore the server
from.

A Windows AD Domain is made redundant by having two Domain Controllers so
that if one fails the Active Directory Databased still survives. I have no
idea what Novel offers,...you'll have to ask people who know Novel.


--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------


"burton" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4BE1CBDD-1516-4DF8-A422-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi - Our current network consists of 50+ WinXP clients & 2 Win2003 Servers
> (Apps, etc.) running on a Novell Network (don't ask why). Clients log in
> via
> Novell etc. In case of Novell network failure what would be an alternative
> networking solution so that users may still access servers, printers etc.
> I
> was thinking Active Directory??? Please let me know if you require further
> details as I am a .NET Developer, not a Network guy by any stretch of the
> imagination.
>
> Thank You in Advance - burton

For that number of users and the number of Win server, I would suggest
SFT-III, which is mirrored server, havent done this for a decade, but from
the earlier days, this is as good as bulletproof when run alongside a good
backup and reliable hardware.
More info here
http://www.meteck.org/Novell_faulttoltechno.htm

In a way I could suggest going Windows all the way and ditch Novell, but to
be honest, Novell as a file server when done right, is a good send, I build
a few Netware 3.12 and 4.1 server 10-15 years ago to run a large stock
control system, running for 20+ stations, use daily, only time they go down
were due to overnight powercut and office relocation, shame they didnt keep
up with the market, became too arrogant because of their large market share.


"burton" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4BE1CBDD-1516-4DF8-A422-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi - Our current network consists of 50+ WinXP clients & 2 Win2003 Servers
> (Apps, etc.) running on a Novell Network (don't ask why). Clients log in
> via
> Novell etc. In case of Novell network failure what would be an alternative
> networking solution so that users may still access servers, printers etc.
> I
> was thinking Active Directory??? Please let me know if you require further
> details as I am a .NET Developer, not a Network guy by any stretch of the
> imagination.
>
> Thank You in Advance - burton