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
Enterprise license and installation fees. A basic network with Small Business
Edition, 5 Users, might cost $2500.
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