On 25 Nov 97 01:30am, Dennis Blackburn wrote to All:
 DB> I am new to this echo and have a couple of questions to throw
 DB> out for some help and advice.
 DB> I am the de facto administrator for our small LAN.  We run
 DB> NetWare 3.11 for 13 workstations and one server.  It has been
 DB> in place for about 4 years and we just upgraded the server
 DB> (went from a 486SX @ 33MHz w/ 8MB RAM to a Pro 200MHz w/ 64MB
 DB> RAM).  The new unit has a CD-ROM with it that we want to
 DB> utilize.  However, 3.11 does not inherently support it.  I have
 DB> loaded the driver for it through the startup.ncf (ATAPI) but
 DB> need to be able to load the NLM for it.  Now it gets really
 DB> hard.  I have a copy of CDROM.NLM but Novell says I need to
 DB> load several patches first.  The first patch is AFTER311.NLM.
 DB> Unfortunately when I load this I get an error message saying
 DB> this is not compatible with 3.11 and I can not load the patch
 DB> manager, the CD-ROM.NLM or any of the other files it needs
 DB> (can't remember what they are off the top of my head right
 DB> now.)  So far I have been unsuccessful ins searching the web
 DB> for any help.  Does anybody know where I can look and/or what
 DB> files I really need to get this running?
Don't waste your time trying to get the CDROM NLM solution to work on
your 3.11 server.  The support just isn't there.  Novell never meant it
to be.  Your best bet if you need the CDROM support is to go with a
third party product such as DiscPort which will allow you to hang a
CDROM (or Jukebox) off the cable segment anywhere within the system.
The software runs off the server and communicates directly with the
DiscPort device.  It has some nice management tools to manage CD
volumes, mounting, dismounting, user access, etc.
 DB> For present we are staying with 3.11 because it works, except
 DB> for this.  We may migrate to NT within the next year only
 DB> because our major database software is moving to a windoze
 DB> format and they software company says it will run better on NT.
 DB>  They also expect to develop it into a wireless program that
 DB>  will have to run on NT for some as yet unexplainable reason
 DB>  (except for the program they will use to make it wireless
 DB>  needs NT).  After trying to take a class on NT administration
 DB>  (instructor knows NT but is NOT a teacher) I need to advise
 DB>  the bosses on what we should do.  Also how important is the
 DB>  workstation platform?  Do I need to use DOS/Win 3.1, Win 95,
 DB>  or NT?  I like the VDMs that NT runs under, and with some of
 DB>  our fumble fingered users that could come in real handy.
Well, if you must move to Windows because of your software, IMHO I'd
skip 95 (too unstable) and go with NT Workstation.  It may cost you more
in the beginning but you'll save in the long run with less downtime.
George
... A day for firm decisions!!!!!  Or is it?
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