camargo@cs.columbia.edu (Kiko) (04/16/91)
Hi there, I'm about to start a new project involving hooking up a NOVELL Network (maybe Advance 2.15 or 386 3.1) to a Unix workstation, and I'm wondering what are alternatives. Could any good soul tell me a little bit about this issue. I'm experience with both environments, but I have no idea of what is available in each end (Unix and NOVELL) as to allow such connectivity. I'll just trow some questions: Can a Unix workstation operate as a DOS file server ? And the other way around (i.e., a Novell server operate as a Unix NFS) ? What happens with file names and the like ? Can a DOS machine establish a XTERM connection with a UNIX workstation through a Ethernet link also used by a NOVELL O.S. ? Does this requires Windows, or are there other X packages exclusive for DOS ? What degree of peer-to-peer connectivity is possible to achieve in this multi-platform environment ? Are there database packages available to support the development of such applications ? What kind of products are available in the market that will support these kinds of connectivitys ? What about Netware VAPs ? Are there any NOVELL products ready to install ? PLease, note that although I may need to have the DOS machines working as terminals of the Unix system through the ethernet media, I also need them running standard Netware sessions, and accessing an existing file server. I may, however, decide to upgrade the Netware 2.15 to 386/3.1 if that turns out to be required. Also, I understand how little specific my question is. I'll be most happy with any pointers that allow me to get started on this project. Please, send mail directly to this account as I cannot afford to read all the messages in this news group. If I receive many replies, I'll prepare a summary and post it back to the net. Any other considerations to this matter are also very welcome. Thank you very much. /Kiko Francisco A. Camargo camargo@cs.columbia.edu
kusumoto@chsun1.uchicago.edu (Bob Kusumoto) (04/18/91)
camargo@cs.columbia.edu (Kiko) writes: >I'm about to start a new project involving hooking up a NOVELL Network >(maybe Advance 2.15 or 386 3.1) to a Unix workstation, and I'm wondering >what are alternatives. >Can a Unix workstation operate as a DOS file server ? And the other way >around (i.e., a Novell server operate as a Unix NFS) ? What happens with >file names and the like ? Unix workstation can act as an NFS file/print server, as long as you have the proper PC-NFS client software to allow you to access those services. Novell Netware 3.11 (386) has an expensive ($5k list) NFS NLM which turns your netware server into an NFS file/print server for other (Unix) hosts. I don't believe there is a way to mount a remote drive onto an Netware server. NFS resolves the file names as they resolve them (whatever way they do it) and on the novell file server, if you add namespace for it in your 3.11 server, it will store the file name and pointers separately. >Can a DOS machine establish a XTERM connection with a UNIX workstation >through a Ethernet link also used by a NOVELL O.S. ? Does this requires >Windows, or are there other X packages exclusive for DOS ? sure. We're in the process of doing this now. On the DOS side, we have a netware server on the backbone using ethernet_II packets rather than the normal ethernet 802.3 packets, and our clients are using public domain packet drivers (these things are protocol stacks, which receive packets and places them in their assigned stack, depending on the type field in the ethernet packet, hence the use of ethernet_ii), BYU IPX shells that recognize the packet drivers, and TCP programs that recongize the packet drivers (there are a few places that provide these, like clarkson). Basically this allows you to run telnet/rlogin/ftp while you're still connected to your novell server (you don't have to be connected). Of course, this allows you to run X-windows if you have a package that will work with the packet drivers, but it really isn't necessary. GCC tech. makes a program called PC-Xview/16 and Xvision which are DOS and MSWindows versions of X-windows for PCs, respectively (I personally don't use these but they do get some praise from other users). On the UNIX side, you just have to make sure that you are on the same ethernet as the novell server. With the TCP programs, since novell doesn't provide the workstation with an IP number, you have to figure out a way to get them assigned, such as hardcoding them into the program, using bootparam or rarp to assign the IP address (I'm using one of our unix workstation to do rarp, and there are PC based versions of these programs that might require a dedicated PC). >What degree of peer-to-peer connectivity is possible to achieve in this >multi-platform environment ? Are there database packages available to >support the development of such applications ? the fact that it's a client/server based system makes peer-to-peer diffficult to do. A company called Fresh Technologies does some really nice peer-to-peer stuff (allowing remote printers/modem/control on/of other PCs, allow mapping local drives onto other peoples computers, all with separate programs for each). >What kind of products are available in the market that will support these kinds >of connectivitys ? What about Netware VAPs ? Are there any NOVELL products >ready to install ? Not sure about VAPs. NLM seems like the way to go these days, since they can be loaded and unloaded without taking the bloody server down all the time to add or remove stuff. >PLease, note that although I may need to have the DOS machines working as >terminals of the Unix system through the ethernet media, I also need them >running standard Netware sessions, and accessing an existing file server. >I may, however, decide to upgrade the Netware 2.15 to 386/3.1 if that turns >out to be required. it's not, although it a hell of a lot easier doing a reconfig on the 386 server than a 2.15 server. If you can get 3.11, get it and be happy. Bob -- Bob Kusumoto | I just come from the land of Internet: kusumoto@chsun1.uchicago.edu | the sun/ from a war that must Bitnet: kusumoto%chsun1@uchicago[.bitnet] | be won in the name of truth. UUCP: ...!{oddjob,gargoyle}!chsun1!kusumoto | - New Order, "Love Vigilantes"