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From: louie@rruxi.bae.bellcore.com (Paul Louie)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Naive Novell Questions (Seth, they are not so bad)
Message-ID: <26039@bellcore.bellcore.com>
Date: 14 Aug 90 16:19:18 GMT
Sender: news@bellcore.bellcore.com
Reply-To: louie@rruxi.bae.bellcore.com (Paul Louie)
Organization: Bell Communications Research
Lines: 67

chaiklin@shibuya.cc.columbia.edu (Seth Chaiklin) writes:

> I am a "mere user" of a Novell LAN and I would like to ask a few
> questions to protect myself from the forces of evil (i.e. SA) that
> tell me that "it cannot be done."  I apologize if this is the wrong
> place to post these questions and would appreciate some direction to
> the right place.

I don't know any other place to post.  I gladly answer any questions
you have.

> We are running Novell Netware 2.12 Rev B with an ethernet,
> I think mostly 3Com 3c501 cards.
>
> 1.  Is it possible to control access to printers on the LAN so 
> that only certain people can get access to certain printers?

Yes.  Set up their print queues in the login scripts and take away printer
commands, such as printcon, so that a user cannot add/change.

> 2.  Is it possible to have a log made of each use of a printer?

Well, without programming (capturing the print interrupt at the user workstation) it is somewhat difficult.  Some print software (3rd Party) contain this 
feature.  If you are using vanilla Netware, you can assign a dummy print queue
along with the real one.  This way, the print data get stored at the phantom
queue for you to browse with the Pconsole command.  Just keep in mind that a
undrain queue can built up pretty fast.

> 3.  What are the virtues/problems of making a bridge vs.
> connecting all the machines into one big LAN?
> Doesn't a bridge just make one big LAN with more
> performance problems?

Well, this depends on the topological design in your installation.  For one 
thing, there are limits on how far an node can be away from the server (this
depends on the medium used, ie.- Thick or thin coax, twisted pair, fiber, etc.)
Going across a local bridge (remote bridge means a modem arrangement) does 
post some performance degradation, but if design properly you should get the 
same or better performance than one huge LAN (for one, eliminates collission and
wait time for transmission).

> 4.  If there is a bridge, then it should be possible to get access to any
> printer on EITHER network, right?

Only if your default server has those printers.  The default server is the one
you logged-in or attached to (via a "login servername/userid" or the ATTACH
command).

> 5.  Is there any problem with mixing different ethernet cards
> in a Novell LAN.  The SA claims that we cannot use different
> cards on the same LAN.

He is full of sh... He is pulling your chain.  You can use any ethernet cards
as long as they fits the medium.

> Many thanks for your help.
> 
> Seth Chaiklin
>
> chaiklin@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu
> seth@ny-yn.UUCP

No problem.  I am glad I can help.

Paul Louie, consultant to Bellcore Communication Research

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