We are planning to install OpenInsight to allow client access to our Arev database via the web. We are running on Netware 4.11, and were planning to move Arev to an NT server running OpenInsight (we've been told that Arev and OpenInsight should exist on the same server). Our current users would still access the Arev database, but continue to log in through our Netware 4.11 server. We heard that if the local workstations were running both IPX and IP, there would be a speed decrease when accessing the Arev database. How much of a speed decrease are we talking?

We then talked about upgrading to Netware 5 so we can run straight IP from the local workstations and access Arev on the NT server without speed decrease. Then I noticed a discussion about the LHIPXTSR NLM, and as I understand, the workstations will still have to run IPX?

Yet another scenario – if we upgrade from Netware 4.11 to NT, will there be any performance issues?

Any insight or recommendations would be appreciated.

Heidi

Well .. you've got some choices to make:

1. Even if you move from Netware 4.x to 5.x, you'll still have to run an IPX protocol stack if you want to continue to use the NLM since it ONLY supports IPX.

2. If you migrate the whole thing (OI / AREV) to an NT server, then you should get the NT Service (it's call WIN2000 or somesuch now). Then you can run a pure IP protocol. This may have some impact on your apps if they make assumptions about the underlying Lan platform (such as Novell CAPTURE commands, etc.). You will probably spend more time optimizing the NT server environment than you would like, but if you don't, you will experience a difference in performance between Netware and Windows NT.

3. If you attempt to use a mixed protocol (IPX and IP), you will face two problems: Protocol Stacking and a potentially serious performance hit. If you MUST run in a mixed environment, make sure that IPX is the topmost protocol. Frame type 802.2 generally has a packet size of +-1500 bytes vs +-16000 bytes for IP. What can happen is that the IPX protocol gets runt's udder in terms of client performance on the desktop. Netware 5.x supports IP just fine but…no NLM.

Hope this is useful

Don Miller

C3 Inc.

We run AREV and OI in a small Novell 4.11 environment and have never had any problems. AREV runs extremely fast while OI is much slower. I once upgraded to Novell 5, believing all their hype about the product. I quickly removed it because it was so slow and cumbersome to administer. Unless you have a compelling reason or can test 5 independently of 4.11, you should leave well enough alone.

We also run Windows 98 on the same network so we have the best of both worlds.

As for the speed issue with OI, I would what would help more, the Revelation NLM product or a 100 Mhz LAN. Anyone have an experience in this area?

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