Windows 2000 and the Revelation Network Products (Network Compatibility)

May 12, 2000, Updated November, 2001

 

At this time, both Revelation Software and its customers are experiencing a less than acceptable level of performance with Windows 2000.  When running the Revelation NLM 5.0 for Novell Netware 5.0 and/or 5.1 environment and/or the Revelation NLM 1.5 for Novell Netware 4.x environment, along with the Novell Windows 2000 Client 32 version 4.71, the environment is extremely slow.  The outline below describes an example of our specific test  environment

and findings:

1. A Novell 5.0 (SP3a) server with three workstations

a. Windows 98SE (Client32 version 3.21)

b. Windows NT (Client32 version 4.71)

c. Windows 2000 (Client32 version 4.71)

2. On the Novell 5.0 (SP3a) server resides a copy of OpenInsight 3.7 and Advanced Revelation 3.12.

3.On Novell 5.0 (SP3a) server a copy of the Revelation NLM version 5.0. (Novell Certified) is installed.

If OpenInsight or Advanced Revelation is launched WITHOUT using the NLM the results are:

a. Windows 98SE → Performance is satisfactory

b. Windows NT Client → Performance is satisfactory

c. Windows 2000 - > Performance is satisfactory

Without the NLM, regardless of 16 bit issues, operating system issues - performance is satisfactory.

If OpenInsight or Advanced Revelation is launched WITH the Revelation NLM5.0 the results are:

a. Windows 98SE → Performance is fast.

b. Windows NT  → Performance is acceptable (about 25% slower than Win98SE)

c. Windows2000 → Performance is slow (about 400% slower then Win98SE)

 

Note: Using Microsoft s Windows2000 as a server with OpenInsight or Advanced Revelation and the Revelation  Windows 2000 Service (formerly called the Revelation NT Service),  there is no performance degradation across client operating systems.

 

Therefore, the question directed by Revelation to Novell is  why is the performance so much slower on the Windows 2000 workstation using the Novell Client32 version 4.71, with the NLM    one would expect the performance to be at least equivalent to that of Windows NT workstation. Subsequently, Revelation Software has submitted a new Incident with Novell for the Novell Client 32 version 4.71 issue.  The incident number is 2407985.

 

Status Update (November 01, 2001)

 

Novell has determined that the implementation of NWLINK (Microsoft's IPX/SPX protocol implementation) on Windows 2000 is the root cause of the problem.  NCP (Netware Core Protocol) is not being used; rather communication is being conducted strictly with IPX/SPX sockets.  Novell has confirmed that their Client 32 versions 4.71and 4.8 do in fact behave differently on Windows 2000, compared to Windows NT.

 

In the case of running OpenInsight on a Windows 2000 workstation pointing to a Novell 4.x or 5.x  machine, we have been able to create a fix. This was done by modifying our IPX/Netware Multi-user driver to work around the conflict in the Client 32. The new driver is called the IPX/Netware Multi-user driver 1.5b and can be purchased from usin the NLM 5.5 Upgrade. The fix does not resolve the same slowdown when running Advanced Revelation (any version) in the same environment. We have been able to isolate the point of breakdown in the Novell Client 32, and have provided this information to Novell. As of the Novell Client 32 3.3.1 and 4.8.1, the problem has not been fixed.

 

For more information on the Revelation NLM 5.5, please call 1-201-594-1422.

 

Novell Customer Services still has a Defect Instance IssueNumber of 236779and continues to work with their Engineering Group to identify their next plan of action.

 

 

Until this problem is rectified with Novell, we recommend one or more of the following:

        Continue to operate the Novell Client for Windows 2000 (version 4.8.1), with the understanding that performance will be SLOW.

        Utilize a Windows 98 or a Windows NT workstation, with the appropriate Novell client, along with the Revelation NLM 5.0.

        Contact Novell directly, referring to the Revelation incident number and communicate your dissatisfaction and requirement for an immediate fix.

        Although not recommended, some Revelation OpenInsight users require use of the Novell Client for Windows 2000 (version 4.71).  In these instances, temporarily run your system without the use of the Revelation NLM s IPX Netware Driver, but with the recommended all networks driver. 

 

Below please find the results of Revelation Software s network testing for environments that operate with the Revelation Network Products and Windows 2000 Server and/or Windows 2000 Clients.

 

Conclusion:  Revelation Software has concluded that our benchmark performance tests resulted in the ability to successfully connect and operate in a number of Windows 2000 environments.  The performance results with Revelation NLMs, Novell Netware 4.11, 4.2, 5.0, and 5.1 with the Novell Client version 4.8.1 (Windows 2000 client) were less than satisfactory when running Advanced Revelation applications. This slowdown has been resolved for OpenInsight with the Revelation NLM 5.5 

 

OpenInsight 3.7 (Revelation 2000 Service was formerly called the Revelation NT Service)

 

Advanced Revelation 3.12 (Revelation 2000 Service was formerly called the Revelation NT Service)

 

For complete information regarding Windows 2000 Server and Client working environments, please refer to the Network Product Support Matrix for this information.