We have migrated 7 clients to Windows Server 2003
platforms now with good results. Libra data can be easily ported to this new environment
with minimal configuration changes. User security and printers will need to be
set up differently than in a Novell environment but this is still fairly simple
to accomplish. There are some advantages to the Windows Server 2003
environment, the greatest of which is continued compatibility with newer
computers, components and software. Remote login capabilities are also a
definite plus when considering this option.
Libra will run on a large number of operating system
platforms. These would include:
Novell Netware – All Versions 2.0 – 6.5
Windows Peer to Peer Networks.
Windows NT Server
Windows 2000 Server
Windows Server 2003
If you have Libra running on another platform other than
Windows Server 2003 you can easily migrate if you want to, however if your
current system is stable and does everything that you want it to, there is no
immediate need to change it. For older Novell Server based systems the only
concern in staying with Novell is future hardware compatibility. If your server
fails and has to be replaced you may find it difficult to find a computer that
Novell 3.x will run on. Most new servers are using SATA and RAID disk
technologies that are incompatible with Novell 3.x disk drivers.
Novell 3.x does support basic IDE controlled disk drives
and older SCSI drives. We are currently using Dell Dimension 2400 units to
replace older Novell Servers as necessary.
Decisions to Upgrade Server Operating Systems should be based
on need and reliability issues. If you need a feature such as Remote Login
facilities to accommodate employees at home or on the road then upgrading your
server may be beneficial. If you want to upgrade your server to eliminate down
time and speed up response time you may be limited in your server selection by
an older Operating System. Should your server crash you may be looking at one
or two weeks to get operational again dependant on compatible computer
availability and delivery times on computers and or Network Operating Systems.
Constant price fluctuations make suppliers unwilling to keep products on hand.
What are the approximate costs to upgrade? This is
dependant on the size and complexity of your network. For a fairly fast server
running Windows Server Enterprise Edition, 25 Users, the cost of the upgrade
would run about $5000. ,
$6500. with a second backup server. This
would include a Dell server(s), Windows Server 2003
Reasons to upgrade your server:
-
Older
Server has become unreliable
-
Older
Server is too slow for network
-
Employees
need remote capability
-
New
software requires SQL feature
-
Want
to avoid possible down time
-
Want
Windows based Server
Reasons to stay with existing server:
-
Existing
Server is reliable
-
Existing
Server is reasonably fast
-
Remote
Access is not an issue
-
Existing
software runs well on server
-
Do
not need Windows based server
-
Have
Server replacement plan in place