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From: t_anstey@darwin.ntu.edu.au
Newsgroups: comp.sys.novell
Subject: Re: TERMINAL ACCESS TO NOVELL SERVER
Message-ID: <1991Apr24.194617.877@darwin.ntu.edu.au>
Date: 24 Apr 91 10:16:17 GMT
Lines: 66

Since my previous posting on this subject there have been a number of
developments on this front.

A Novell person has responded to NEWS confirming that Netware V386.1 will
support NFS, not PC-NFS as I mistakenly said. This allows common access
between a Novell file server and a UNIX box via TCP/IP. I am very grateful
for the interest and could not wish for a better confirmation.

I have also discussed the matter with the producers of the database package
and they confirm that if Netware 386 and the UNIX system, they vouchsafe 
SCO/UNIX, are both running on INTEL based systems then the database files
can be shared successfully by their database system running on both systems.

They did recommend that I recompiled the executable for each environment but
the source code remains the same. I can live with that, and it would be
foolish not to have the executables resident on both systems, as why share
files needlessly?

The comment was also made that the choice of database package could be a
limiting factor and that could be so. The database I have in mind is cheap
and I have used it to good effect for four years on a Novell platform and 
have NEVER EVER struck a bug in it. (They do exist but I have either found
a work-around or never used that option). This then is not as problem to me.

The problem of terminal access has always been a real bug-bear in a LAN,
that and the dreadful DOS 640 KB memory limit. This new option means we can
migrate to a LAN in the high intensity use areas, yet not write off our 
investment in terminals and equipment. There are some problems like how do we
print remotely using DECSERCVER ports but I think I have an answer to that. 

This presents us with a very viable low cost (compare the cost of a VAX with
VMS to say a '486 running SCO/UNIX plus a '486 running Netware 386) and we are
going to take this very seriously. Especially as it preserves our investment in
our network equipment.

A problem I do have, and I suspect I am not alone, is that my management keep 
saying, undoubtedly motivated by detractors;
 
	"If it is such a good idea, why are others not doing it ?"

Well someone has to be first, which sounds a bit lame. There are two quotes 
that sum up my position on this.

	"The leading edge of technology, is the brink of disaster"

	(ie never be first)

	and

	"All great truths, start as great heresies"

	(ie after enough time passes anything is acceptabe)

In view of this can I have some ideas and thoughts on this concept, and in
particular, WHY WILL IT NOT WORK !!


Tery Anstey


Computer Services
Northern Territory University
Darwin, NT
Australia

INTERNET: T_ANSTEY@DARWIN.NTU.EDU.AU   -   "The LAN at the end of the INTERNET"