Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!uwm.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!sun-barr!newstop!texsun!letni!merch!spudge!rwsys!jim
From: jim@rwsys.lonestar.org (James Wyatt KA5VJL                .)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: Network workstations
Summary: you don't always need a floppy to boot Novell
Keywords: Novell networks boot-roms ethernet
Message-ID: <405@rwsys.lonestar.org>
Date: 10 Aug 90 23:36:17 GMT
References: <11833.540.forumexp@mts.rpi.edu> <6716.26c1bd60@vax1.tcd.ie>
Reply-To: jim@rwsys.UUCP (James Wyatt KA5VJL)
Organization: R/W Systems, Irving Texas, 75060-6055
Lines: 20

In article <6716.26c1bd60@vax1.tcd.ie> jagrogan@vax1.tcd.ie writes:
>It is certainly worth taking a look at Novell. ...
>... The workstations then need only have a floppy drive so as to
>boot them up. There is no need to have hard disks on the workstations.

Well, most Ethernet (and many ARCNET) cards allow a boot-prom to be installed.
This means you can remove (or not buy) floppy drives/controller, install the
boot prom, tell the server about them (and install DOS), and boot without the
floppy at all. It will save power (and thus heat), prevent employees from
installing unwanted/untested software, prevent the removal of sensitive data
by floppy (they can still print it), and maybe save some money. The proms are
about twenty to fifty dollars U.S. and are EASY to install. They boot MUCH
faster and don't wear-out like floppies can. We use them in educational
networks where we can boot 100 workstations in the time 10 booted with
floppies. This strongly limits what the students can do to 'crack' the
network and prevents the theft of courseware.
----
James Wyatt (KA5VJL) - Standard disclaimer applies...          (H)214-579-0425
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