Thanks Guys, I downloaded the new version 6.5 SP8 and wrote the ISO file to a boot disk.I eventually got the server to boot and start loading Netware.Right in the beginning it prompts the following message:'Volume SYS count NOT be mounted' Some or all volume segments cannot be located.However, it carries on to the point of language selection, country, code page & keyboard.Then F10 for license agreement, DEFAULT CONFIG, continueSystem creates default 8GB sys-volume successfully.File Copy Status continues with the C:NWSERVER being created upto 100%Source path = Z:STARTUPA message comes up. 'Matching drivers to hardware devices'At this point the server loses the connection to the USB keyboard & mouse.The process itself does not hang up, as the installation proceeds, up to the point where it prompts for drivers. However, I am unable to view / load any additional drivers as the USB keyboard is now 'disconnected' from the installation.The server does not support PS2 keyboard or mouse, any ideas how I could get the USB keyboard / mouse to work to continue / complete the installation? Uggh.Possibly a PCI card with PS/2 ports might do it but I couldn't verify that.Now if this is a Dell server then fromIntegrating USB keyboards and miceUniversal Serial Bus (USB) keyboards and mice can only be used with Novell NetWare if the server’s system BIOS supports USB emulation. This emulation allows a USB keyboard or mouse to appear to the server as a PS/2 device before the operating system is loaded. To ensure full support of USB devices on PowerEdge servers running NetWare, administrators should use Dell ServerAssistant when installing the NOS. For NetWare 5.1, administrators should install the NetWare 5.1 NOS using a PS/2 keyboard and mouse, apply NetWare 5.1 Support Pack 4 (SP4) or later, and then switch to a USB keyboard and mouse.NetWare 6.0 is the first version of NetWare with native support for USB keyboards and mice.
Novell Netware 6.5 Features
Native-mode USB support means that as NetWare starts up, it loads drivers that interface directly with the USB controller. Administrators must installNetWare 6.0 SP1 (or later) if a USB keyboard, mouse, or both will be used on a Dell system because some enhancements and bug fixes specific to USB were included in SP1. These newer USB files are also included in Dell OpenManage Server Assistant so that administrators can install NetWare using aUSB keyboard and mouse.If it isn't a Dell check if the BIOS supports USB emulation. Thanks, it's an IBM server x3200 M3 7328-K2GFrom the IBM website it doesn't look like drivers are available for Netware.I can't find emulation for USB in the BIOS, but will try the SP2 card as an option.I just hope that Netware will eventually be happy with the board, CPU and of course the drive.So far it seems to be loading the initial startup, but I believe it will only be proven once the server start to install and setup the system files in SYS volume after the driver section - where it's currently stuck at. It displays management IP from DHCP on console, or you can set it up on console.Best to start with v4.1 which is latestEach major update requires full vmware restart (twice a year) which also involves restart of all hosts.You can move all legacy stuff like DOS, Win95, NT3.51 into vmware and not care anymore about old systems on new hardware.It does very well in power saving area if you consider yourself a small enterprise.current free version supports 1-2 1-6core CPUs and 256GB of RAM, and it grows over time. It can format 'full old server' also4. You can install Virtual Infrastructure Client ( i called it management console) on your PC if you have.NET, it leaves host history in registry after uninstall, not a big problem.
in management console create new virtual machine using profile for NetWare, using recommended RAM (2GB?) and at least 2 processors (or 4 maximum)Each extra device will need passthrough configuration in vmware, or needs to be initialized with vmfs to make it usable as disk space.It all will become obvious when you install the software;). Thanks gheist,The virtualization works great!For reference;I downloaded the installation, burned to disk as ISOBooted from disk and ran default installationI downloaded the console and installed on my PC, accessed the serverCreated virtual machine with Netware environmentConfigured virtual machine for resource allocationEnabled DVD in virtual machineInserted Novell image disk into DVD Rom and restarted virtual machine to boot from Novell diskThe Novell installation completed 100% without any difficulty:-). You need either their new web configurator (link next to ESXi download) or vcenter server (costs something)It does not run on both servers at any moment. Free version allows to shut down the system, and starts it in newplace.And an absolute requirement is storage reachable by all machines (iSCSI on ethernet is cheapest while still mainaining quality(and being resold by 'major' vendors) )You create another 'single point of failure' - the single storage box, so you need another and network replication is not a feature in cheap NAS (but if you have some remote office you can move snapshots to another storage box there).