[KLUG Members] An off-shoot IPX/SPX question...

[Tony Gettig]

I'm checking in a little late on this thread, as I've been out of town.
But here's my $.02.
Having been a Novell nut for some time (certified even), I would strongly
discourage using IPX. Adam makes some great points about running more than
one protocol stack and commercial support being better for Samba. But the
biggest argument in your favor is the fact that, as Adam has mentioned,
*Novell* doesn't even encourage the use of IPX anymore. I guess this
depends on what version of NetWare you're running, but >= 5.0 can run
everything "pure IP". If you're running NetWare 4.x, it really is time to
upgrade. Novell doesn't support it anymore. NetWare 6.0 has the Native
File Access stuff which is nice (CIFS, NFS, and MAC connectivity support),
but heck, you can do all that with Linux without the licensing hassle and
cost. :)
I'm not sure how big your firm is, but if a NOS upgrade is imminent (and
if you're using anything less than 5.0 it should be :) then I would
seriously consider migrating to a Linux file server(s). If you're a
GroupWise user, keep a Novell box around for that until they have agents
for Linux. If you have a lot of users, well, in Novell's favor, it's kinda
hard to beat NDS administration.
Tony Gettig, who worked in a law firm and knows how it is to explain these
things to partners! :)


>>>If any of you can help me difuse his argument, please do so.  Any and
>>>all info would greatly appreciated.
>>Tell him to document his sources, estimate a TCO of his solution and
>>submit it in triplicate with three competitive offers.
>>That'll stop him.
>
> One legitimate issue to point out is support.  Commercial support of
> Samba  is available.  There are probably thousands, if not tens of
> thousands, of  Samba users in the state of Michigan alone,  and
> millions world-wide.  Not  to mention dozens of users on this list.
>
> IPX is very much a legacy thing,  even Novell has down graded it.
>
> --
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> This message undoubtedly processed by the purely benevolent "US
> Department of Homeland Security",  but don't worry... they're
> only goal is to protect life, liberty and the pursuit of property.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Members mailing list
> Members@kalamazoolinux.org
> 


-- 
Tony Gettig
http://www.VoiceoversNow.com
GBY!