Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!chinet!mcdchg!ddsw1!karl
From: karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Karl Denninger)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Novell -- Disk storage requirements
Summary: What #$%^@ controllers and drives does NOVELL support DIRECTLY
Keywords: Novell, Pissed, Unreasonable Novell Policies
Message-ID: <3510@ddsw1.MCS.COM>
Date: 24 May 89 14:16:35 GMT
Reply-To: karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Karl Denninger)
Organization: Macro Computer Solutions, Inc., Mundelein, IL
Lines: 43

We are in the process of evaluating Novell and others for a network.

The problem I'm having right now is that Novell won't tell me what their
requirements are for disk controllers and drives!  This question came about
because their earlier releases (2.0a) required that your BIOS have an EXACT
entry for the disk drive type you wished to use.  The reason for this
requirement was that they would go directly to the ROM BIOS looking for the
drive parameters -- in violation of IBMs guidelines for determining disk
geometry (IBM recommends that you look at the DPT after boot; Novell ignored
this recommendation and went directly to the CMOS and ROM tables).

I wish to use Novell with an ESDI controller and drive.  These controllers
build a disk parameter block during the POST sequence, effectively
"overriding" the disk type set in the ROM (you set the ROM type to "1" in
all cases).  For example, you may end up with a "virtual" disk configuration
of 630 cylinders, 15 heads, and 63 sectors per track.  The controllers are 
register compatible with the WD1003 (specifically, a WD1007A-WA2 with
Maxstor XT4380E drive).

Will Novell V2.15 (Advanced netware and SFT netware) run under these
circumstances?  Or am I still screwed?

Note:  	I am NOT IMPRESSED with Novell.  They refused to answer this question
	unless we would cough up $50 per QUARTER HOUR for their technician's
	time!  All they would tell me is that "the drive you wish to use is
	not specifically listed as supported", and told me to go talk to
	Storage Dimensions.  Storage Dimensions has the drives all right,
	but they're 50-100% over market price.  Not nice when you want to 
	put together a system with FIVE fileservers!

	I greatly dislike dealing with any company that either can't or
	won't answer your simple compatibility questions before you make
	your purchase, and wants $200 per hour to answer them after the
	sale!  Hell, I could buy a high-priced lawyer for less money!  It 
	seems as though Novell deserves to lose this sale (and it's a 
	sizable one).

	Answers are appreciated.  Please email or post.

--
Karl Denninger (karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM, <well-connected>!ddsw1!karl)
Public Access Data Line: [+1 312 566-8911], Voice: [+1 312 566-8910]
Macro Computer Solutions, Inc.		"Quality Solutions at a Fair Price"