[ILUG] Novell netware and Linux?

[Jennifer Alexander]

I hate to continue on this no-brainer kick, but I from the point of view
of someone who has relatively little experience with Novell (except a bit
in migrations away from it to NT) I was just curious about something.  

My immediate question was, why do you need Novell once you have migrated
to Linux, or even during the process?  I guess, though, I should
elaborate.

What does Novell networking provide that a Linux based system doesn't? 
Can one not set up file/directory/printer sharing systems that provide the
same (better?) functionality, although implemented through different
tools?  For networks with Windows-based clients or for migrations,
couldn't Samba create a lot of this functionality on a basis more familiar
to the user? 

Just curious, 'cause I don't know.

--Jen

On Wed, 13 Oct 1999, John Gay wrote:

> I realise this is probably a no-brainer, but, being lan-illiterate, I'll ask
> anyway.
> 
> I've made some progress in encouraging the use of Linux over M$, but am still
> getting some flack. The latest nail I put in M$'s coffin here was StarOffice.
> Now that it is being distributed by Sun, and completely free, rather than the
> personal version, this is getting serious consideration to replace M$ office.
> I've also been told that there is also a Lotus Notes client available for Linux.
> This pretty much wraps it up for necessary app's. Netscape is the default
> browser, due to I.E.'s failings. The last question that's been asked of me was,
> 'Can we still use Novell Netware?' I don't fully understand how Novell fits in,
> exactly, but it is what we use to log in. I've also provided full information
> about Printer support, which was also a concern, but rather pointless, as we use
> HP's almost exclusively, and they are all fully supported. If I could explain,
> with confidence that, yes, of course you can still use Novell, I just might be
> able to convince the powers that allmost-be to set up one Linux box as a
> workstation and give it a good trial. First, they could give it to a
> UNIX-literate type, until they get all the config's the way they like, then they
> could try giving  it to a regular desk jockey and see just how trouble-free it
> is when macro-virii no longer cause it to slow to a crawl, and the desk jockey
> can no longer keep down-loading multiple screen savers and games that then
> refuse to remove themselves cleanly. I don't expect this to happen over night,
> but then just last year I was told ' There is absolutely NO WAY a Linux box will
> be allowed on our LAN.' Now I am constantly being approached by this same person
> asking things like, 'can I get a Lotus client for Linux? How about an office
> suite? Will it work with Novell? But it doesn't support most printers, does it?
> Can I make it look like WindowsNT so no one will notice it?' I am starting to
> think that possibly, in another year or two, Linux will start to replace NT and
> 95 on the desktops. The last obstacle is the support issue. With Sun, HP, IBM,
> Dell and all the rest getting behind Linux, I can't see that standing in the way
> much longer. After all, ALL our Desktop PS's are Dell!
> 
> If you can provide a URL I can forward that explains using Novell with Linux, it
> would be very helpful to the cause.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
>      John Gay
> 
> 
> 
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