Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!gandp!rg
From: rg@gandp (Dick Gill)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Novice LAN Questions
Message-ID: <312@gandp>
Date: 23 Sep 90 20:41:56 GMT
Reply-To: rg@psgdc.UUCP (Dick Gill)
Organization: Gill & Piette, Inc.
Lines: 71


My firm has developed and sold business software on unix boxes
for almost ten years.  For marketing reasons, we now need to
offer our products on Novell lan's as well. I am almost totally
ignorant about local area networks and wonder if some kind soul
would help me with some really basic questions. 

Our first task is to get an in-house Novell lan operating with,
say, 8 pc's; all PC's are within 100 feet of each other. This is
a pretty low-budget operation, and I want to get the initial
network operating with minimum time and dollars.  Down the road
we will want to connect our various unix boxes to the network as
well.  My questions are:

1. Foundation: I assume that, because I want to connect with
unix machines as well, Ethernet will be the logical choice. 

2. Wiring: we currently use RJ-45 (8-wire) unshielded twisted
pair through a patch panel to connect our unix systems,
terminals, peripherals, etc.  Much of that wiring uses 25-pair
telco cables.  I would certainly like to use the existing wiring
for the lan; any problems here?

3. PC Hardware: I understand that each PC will need an Ethernet
card, and that one supporting RJ-45 connectors would eliminate the
need for a balun at each PC.  Are all of these cards the same or
do some offer real advantages?  Do I need 16-bit boards for AT
bus machines or will the 8-bit ones work OK?  

4. File Server: Do I need a PC dedicated to be a file server? 
Will a '286 machine work alright for up to 10 users?  How much
disc will I need just to get things going?  Does this system
need a "better" Ethernet card than the other PC's?  Any favorite
brands?

5. Hooking Things Up: I assume that there will be some type of
hub box near my  patch panel to connect all PC's, including the
file server.  Are there any choices or performance issues here? 
What is the proper terminoloy?

6. Netware: As I understand it, Netware is, among other things,
the operating system that runs the file server. Which version of
Novell Netware do I want? What are the tradeoffs?  Are prices
about the same independent of channel?

7. Other Hardware: Will I need any additional pieces of hardware
for the PC's or file server?  How do multiple printers hook up
to the file server? 

8. Other Software: What additional software will be required to
make the LAN work effectively?  Any optional software that makes
sense?

9. Installation: After assembly of all wiring, hardware and
software, how many days would it take an experienced technician to
get the LAN functioning?  How good is the installation documentation?
Would we be crazy to tackle the installation ourselves?

10. Other Questions:  What haven't I asked about that I really
need to know?

Please e-mail and I will summarize to the net if there is
interest.  Thanks for indulging these basic questions.

Dick Gill

-- 
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Dick Gill     Gill & Piette, Inc.      "I can be a humble guy when I need to." 
(703)761-1163   ..uunet!gandp!rg                                  Donald Trump