Hi Einar,

I was the network/security manager of a Novell/Windows NT/Unix/Windows 2000 WAN for a government installation for 7 years (obviously 2k was added during the last year I was there). I started with Novell 2.x in 1985 (sheesh, that was a LONG time ago!) The majority of our data servers were Novell and we used NDS for authentication. We also used Zenworks for application distribution. Windows NT and later 2K were used for email servers. The last version of Novell I worked on regularly was 5.x and we had 15 Novell 5.x servers. I was eating, sleeping, dreaming Novell for so many years that a lot of it is still stored in my gray cells. However, due to not using it regularly during the previous 6 months, I have to refresh my memory from time to time these days of too much of it! Age and lack of use are beginning to show I'm afraid! :o)

While 3.12 is a very robust and reliable NOS, the difference between Novell 5.1 and Novell 3.12 is similar to the difference between Windows XP and DOS 3.0. There is simply NO COMPARISON. The benefits are HUGE. Too many to even attempt to list. What is the primary use of the Novell servers? How many do you maintain and how many users, applications, and data stores? Do you have/need an internet presence? What do you use for authentication? There are a lot of reasons for upgrading, but the need must be there of course. I'm a firm believer in upgrading when it benefits the business requirements, but I also believe in staying put if everything works fine, you can meet your business and SECURITY requirements, and it saves money for the bottom line when all other conditions are met.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am also a Wisconsinite from Portage too. :o) A Yankee in the South so to speak.

SNIP

>Do you have a lot of experience with novell and p_station?
>Do you think upgrading from Novell 3.12 to Novell 5.1 would help?
>
>Einar