Getting user licences
Martin Imber
of ours has phoned up asking if our software will run on Windows servers.
It does and they will probably move.
Another customer wants more 4.2SB licences but can't find them - they are
also now on the at risk list.
Why do Novell want people to go down the MS route?
AndersG
> Due to severe problems getting additional user licences for 4.11 a customer
> of ours has phoned up asking if our software will run on Windows servers.
Your best bet would be to contact Novell sales as this is nothing techsupport
can do anything about, but I will pass on your comments to Novell.
- Anders Gustafsson, Engineer, CNE6, ASE
NSC Volunteer Sysop (http://support-forums.novell.com)
Pedago, The Aaland Islands (N60 E20)
Using VA 4.52 build 277 (32-bit) on Windows 2000 build 2195
AndersG
Both are readily available from Novell. Who have you talked to?
Barry Schnur
> of ours has phoned up asking if our software will run on Windows servers.
>
> It does and they will probably move.
As Anders noted, you may well be able to track down licenses directly from
Novell.
Martin, are they planning to go to Windows NT 3.51 Server? That is the era
4.11 was released. What version of DOS are you running on the
workstations?
Let's be fair here -- NW 4.11 is something like 10 years old or close to
it. If they are looking to migrate, you have a number of realistic choices
which include:
Windows 2K server
Windows 2003 Server (which over time will replace 2K server)
NetWare 5.1 (still on the active product list, but...)
NetWare 6.0
NetWare 6.5
Novell typically sells *three* major versions, Microsoft rarely has more
than 2 (ie Win2K and Win2003 server).
>
> Another customer wants more 4.2SB licences but can't find them - they are
> also now on the at risk list.
>
Same thing here -- I'd suggest upgrading to SBS 6.0 -- or if this something
with a bit of 'time' on it, upgrading sometime next quarter to SBS 6.5 --
you'd qualify for upgrade pricing. Note, SBS 6.5 will support up to *100*
users and will also, out of the box, support two server clustering.
> Why do Novell want people to go down the MS route?
>
Like most companies, Novell prefers folks to move toward current
technologies. In the cases you present, there has a number of technology
moves over the intervening many years. 4.11/4.2 is really *four* versions
back in core code development:
4.11
5.0
5.1
6.0
6.5
For Microsoft, they really don't even go back that far (well there was an
NT 3.5 and 3.11 I believe).
--
Barry Schnur
Novell Support Connection Volunteer Sysop
Martin Imber
techsupport
>>can do anything about, but I will pass on your comments to Novell.
Thanks!!
In the UK it is getting difficult!
Martin Imber
>>Novell.
This one is in Ireland, their supplier is having difficulties
>>Martin, are they planning to go to Windows NT 3.51 Server? That is the
era
>>4.11 was released. What version of DOS are you running on the
>>workstations?
Win95 & Win98
>>Let's be fair here -- NW 4.11 is something like 10 years old or close to
>>it. If they are looking to migrate, you have a number of realistic
choices
>>which include:
And it works fine with no problems except they can't find licences
>>Windows 2K server
>>Windows 2003 Server (which over time will replace 2K server)
2000 most likely
>>NetWare 5.1 (still on the active product list, but...)
>>NetWare 6.0
>>NetWare 6.5
I think they feel "burned" over this
>>Novell typically sells *three* major versions, Microsoft rarely has more
>>than 2 (ie Win2K and Win2003 server).
We do the software someone else does the hardware, NOS and OS
>>Same thing here -- I'd suggest upgrading to SBS 6.0 -- or if this
something
>>with a bit of 'time' on it, upgrading sometime next quarter to SBS 6.5 --
>>you'd qualify for upgrade pricing. Note, SBS 6.5 will support up to *100*
>>users and will also, out of the box, support two server clustering.
However they are considering new hardware as they went from 5 now at 15 and
they would buy a newer Netware if they have to
>>Like most companies, Novell prefers folks to move toward current
>>technologies. In the cases you present, there has a number of technology
>>moves over the intervening many years. 4.11/4.2 is really *four* versions
>>back in core code development:
Unfortunately users are so used to reliable servers they don't want to
change, and some people think alomg the lines of if I have to change I might
as well follow everyone else and go <insert product here>
Some however will spend the money and have newer hardware - funnily enough
though the most reliable servers in the real world out the the following
list
NW4.11, 4.2, 5.0, 5.1, NT4, 2000
is 4.11!
>>For Microsoft, they really don't even go back that far (well there was an
>>NT 3.5 and 3.11 I believe).
NT was horrible - never saw 3.11 - One customer replaced NT with NW5.1 and
another 2000 with NW6
Martin Imber
>>Both are readily available from Novell. Who have you talked to?
The UK site I don't know, but the ROI site is not under our control for
hardware.
We have had problems with one reseller and the others don't seem interested.
Dave Lunn
> This one is in Ireland, their supplier is having difficulties
You should be able to buy them direct from Novell and d/l the license then
activate it on the Novell site and you can install. Shouldn't take more
than a few minutes.
--
Dave Lunn
NSC SysOp
http://support-forums.novell.com
AndersG
> We have had problems with one reseller and the others don't seem interested.
Talk to Novell UK or buy them om-line from Shopnovell.com The pricelist is at:
1. http://www.novell.com/licensing/price.html
To download the current official Novell price list. This way, you can
determine yourself which product is available.
and 2:
http://www.novell.com/partnerlocator/
To find a Novell authorized dealer in their area. Every dealer listed
there is not only supposed to, but required by his Novell contract to
order any officially available Novell product as per above price list.
Again, both products this user is looking for *are* available. If
they're in the EU, then Massimo will happily sell them any license they're
looking for ;)
Barry Schnur
OK -- I've heard some feedback in the past regarding difficulties in Europe
for distribution issues.
>
> Win95 & Win98
OK -- but you are looking to add licenses are the new workstations Win 95/
Win 98 as well.
>
> And it works fine with no problems except they can't find licences
I understand -- I still have clients with 4.11/4.2 and it works fine for
them -- it *was* an *excellent* Server OS. But a few years ago, I
suggested to all of them if their business plan was to remain in the
4.11/4.2 environment for years, that they 'buy ahead' regarding licenses --
given the age of the OS.
>
> >>Windows 2K server
> >>Windows 2003 Server (which over time will replace 2K server)
>
> 2000 most likely
OK -- fair enough.
>
> >>NetWare 5.1 (still on the active product list, but...)
> >>NetWare 6.0
> >>NetWare 6.5
>
> I think they feel "burned" over this
>
I understand -- though there is a break for upgrade pricing here and you
might find the extra functionality provided with the newer versions of
NetWare is well worth the upgrade. Also, and this will be an increasing
consideration, over time, the hardware you are running NW 4.11 on may reach
its service life, replacing it with new hardware might uncover issues with
the older operating system not supporting the newer hardware. How long
have they been running the 4.11 server?
> We do the software someone else does the hardware, NOS and OS
Ah -- you mean the application software only? But you ended up in the mix
here instead of the firm doing the NOS support?
>
> However they are considering new hardware as they went from 5 now at 15 and
> they would buy a newer Netware if they have to
>
Which makes sense -- see my note regarding newer hardware and the older
versions of NetWare -- moving to SBS 6.0 or SBS 6.5 probably makes a LOT of
sense here.
> Unfortunately users are so used to reliable servers they don't want to
Understood -- as I noted, I have a number of 4.11/4.2 clients. We've
talked a bit about moving forward to SBS 6.0 or SBS 6.5 -- I suspect at
some point that is the way they will go -- but I've learned to NOT force
the issue when they are comfortable with a reliable environment which meets
their current needs.
Barry Schnur
Windows 2000 Server:
http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2003/1218microplans.html?net
"starting on April 1, 2004, Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Advanced
Server will no longer be available through the retail channel or through
Microsoft's volume licensing programs"