🚀 go-pugleaf

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Hi,

<P>I have recently been thrown off the deep end and labeled as a system
admin! My knowledge of networks is limited so I desperately need some
help.

<P>We are running an 8 bit TopWare (Ver 5.11) Network that consists of
about 8 work floor machines used for product tracking. These machines
are
386 and 486'es and are very limited. We have another 8 machines ranging
from 75 MHz to 200MMX Pentiums.

<P>All systems run off a single coaxial cable without any hubs. What I
need to do is upgrade the 8 pentiums to a 32 bit network and introduce
instant email, FAX and internet access via a gateway. While maintaining
the link to the old topware system for product tracking.

<P>The plan I have worked out so far is to setup a new server that will
act as a File Server, Internet Gateway, Internal Email server (that will

distribute the mail to the appropriate dept. instantly), FAX server, and

intranet server. This system will be networked to the old topware system

via a 32 bit network connection, and the 8 pentiums with hubs in place
in certain areas. The other 8 work floor systems will be connected to
the
topware systems as they are now.
<BR>This will enable (I hope) the pentiums to access the product system
on the old topware system. This means that the topware file server will
be connected to both networks with two separate cards (8 bit and 32
bit).

<P>Here comes the tricky bit: The network can not be OS dependent. We
need
to be able to mix DOS, Win95, WIN NT 3.5-4, and linux systems across the

network. I also am limited to a very tight budget.

<P>If you have any advice, recommendations on hardware or (cheap if not
free) client\server software, or you can see a major flaw
in my plan could you please tell me. I relize that this is a tall order.

I plan to document all that i learn on a web site to help other people
like me in the future.

<P>Your help will be greatly appreciated,
<BR>Emil Bjorsell.

<P>emil@tinet.ie</HTML>