[comp.sys.novell] Upgrade Questions

iyermish@sjuphil.uucp (I. Yermish) (02/12/91)

In article <88260@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu> you write:
>The department I work for is considering upgrading the file server from a 
>286-16 to a 386-33.  We are running Advanced Netware 2.15 and have the 
>following questions:
>1.  Will the update be a simple - take hard drives out of 286, plug into

With some luck, you should be able install the hard drives directly,
assuming, of course that you use the same controller.  If you are changing
disk controllers, you may experience some problems.
>    386 and go.  Or will we have to run netgen all over again.
>2.  How much RAM should we put on the file server 2,4,8,16?  Will the file
>    server use all the RAM or is there a cap to how much it can use 
>    effectively?  (Our LAN is 15 pcs (ARCNET style) about to go to 20 pcs).

Based upon your usages below, you don't really need much RAM, 2MB will work,
though you might feel more comfortable with 4MB.  MS Word does not open very
many files at one time.  There is very little network activity, except
at initial program load, when running MS Word off of a Novell Network,
>3.  Each workstation should be what config?  We were thinking 286-12 with
>    640K should it be 286-16 with 1MB.  99% we run MS Word 5.0.

If you can handle it, get a 386SX based machine instead.  The speed differences
do make a difference when running MS Word in Graphics Mode.  Furthermore,
you will have more power if you decide to add Windows in the future.

>4.  How good/bad are the vendors we've priced: All Computer Center (CA),
>    American Multisystems (CA), CompUSA (TX), Symbionics (TX), JCC Systems 
>    (CA), and Main Street Computer (FL)?  

We have not used any of the vendors listed.

>5.  Which companies have you purchased from, and which brand names are
>    reliable (our research DTK 386 refuses to communicate with our
>    HP Laser Series II in direct connection).

Our PC lab has 21 Leading Technology 386SX machines recently purchased
from SoftWarehouse in Philadelphia.  The prices matched anything available
from mail order houses.  The machines seem well built (Korea) using all
standard internal components.

>Thanks!   -Martin
>
>--
>cordero@cis.ohio-state.edu


Good Luck,
Ira Yermish (iyermish@sjuphil.UUCP)