TITLE:              PNW vs. 3.x/4.x for Small Business
DOCUMENT ID:        TID800144
DOCUMENT REVISION:  1
DATE:               24APR95
ALERT STATUS:       Yellow
README FOR:         NA

NOVELL PRODUCT and VERSION:
PERSONAL NETWARE V1.0

ABSTRACT:
NA

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ISSUE:

What issues/problems should be considered toward the purchase of
Personal NetWare versus NetWare 3.12/NetWare 4.10?

Peer-to-Peer products have several features which make them ideal for
the small business.  Client-Server products have additional features
which are also applicable for the small business.

Personal NetWare has the following features :

o  runs non-dedicated (take advantage of existing resources);
o  able to share CD-ROMs;
o  simple installation / convenient use;
o  runs in a dos environment;
o  supports DOS, Windows and Windows for Workgroups;
o  simple security of ALL/NONE/READ/WRITE;
o  simple file and printer sharing at DOS *or* Windows
   (the server is not lost when exiting/entering Windows);
o  integrated to connect to NetWare 2.x/3.x/4.x;
o  same common client as NetWare 2.x/3.x/4.x;
o  supports up to 1000 open files;
o  SNMP support;
o  auto-reconnect;
o  multiple workgroups.

The disadvantages of Personal NetWare are as follows:

o  is subject to DOS's limitations, i.e.:
       -  DOS is not multitasking and will slow down under a load;
       -  DOS is not a full 32 bit OS;
o  is difficult to manage a large number of server/client stations
   particularly when a single machine is rebooted causing multiple
   clients to fail (such as when a user turns off a machine to go
   home or has to reboot due to a system failure);
o  has no dynamic memory configuration;
o  can't span multiple drives or offer mirroring;
o  doesn't have UPS support.

NetWare 3.x/4.x offers:

o  more efficient cache and the ability to handle larger amounts of
   ram (up to 500 meg);
o  additional disk security (hotfix, mirroring/duplexing, SFT III) 
   and large amounts of data (32 terabytes);
o  load balancing (multiple lan cards, and disk controllers/disk
   drives;
o  dedicated for servicing client requests;
o  unlimited open files;
o  faster LAN throughput (twice as fast as Personal NetWare due to
   supporting simultaneous file requests);
o  dynamic memory configuration;
o  loadable/unloadable modules;
o  UPS support;
o  supports DOS, Windows, OS/2, MAC, and UNIX clients;
o  enhanced security at the file directory level;
o  and other additional features...

The only disadvantge of NetWare 3.x/4.x is a dedicated machine
required to support the operating system and additional complexity in
installation, administration, and support.  The benefits far outweigh
the dedicated machine particularly considering the cost of a typical
PC.

Personal NetWare is designed as an entry level system.  The Personal
NetWare customer base typically has 3-8 nodes.  It can support up to
50 users, however, the specifics of each system with more than 15
nodes should be carefully considered. User demands, application mix,
and LAN throughput should be carefully reviewed to ensure that a
peer-to-peer network, such as Personal NetWare, can meet the
requirements of the customer.

Personal NetWare can initially be installed and when additional speed
and security are needed the system can be upgraded to NetWare
3.x/4.x.  The peer-to-peer functionality can continue even after
NetWare 3.x/4.x has been installed.

These points are general considerations and should be helpful in
determining an appropriate solution.  The real decision between
Personal NetWare and NetWare 3.x/4.x depends on the needs of the
workgroup.  If the workgroup has a need for frequent or constant
multi-user access, such as a shared database, it would be preferable
to have a NetWare 3.x/4.x dedicated file server for running the
application. For occasional mult-user access or convenient sharing of
local resources Personal NetWare is more than an adequate solution.

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