Appendix C - Feature Summary

Updated: September 15, 2010

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Services for NetWare 5.03 Feature Summary

Windows Services for NetWare version 5.03 provides a set of utilities that can help your organization migrate from a Novell NetWare operating system and Novell Directory Services (NDS) to a Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system and Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).

Microsoft Directory Synchronization Services (MSDSS)

Microsoft Directory Synchronization Services (MSDSS) can help your organization to adopt AD DS by migrating NDS and NetWare 3.x or later Bindery information to AD DS. MSDSS supports all major NetWare platforms and most Novell directories and binderies. It also includes support for the Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange (IPX/SPX) and TCP/IP network protocols.

Migrating to Windows Server 2008 R2

To migrate NDS and Bindery information to Windows Server 2008 R2 using MSDSS, you must use an intermediary server running Windows Server 2003 R2 with Service Pack 2 (SP2). For more information, see NetWare to Windows Server 2008 R2 Migration Planning Guide (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=190426).

Phased Migrations

If your organization chooses to take a phased approach to migrating to Windows Server 2008 R2, MSDSS supports reverse and one-way synchronization with NDS and NetWare 3.x or later binderies. It also supports password synchronization. These features provide a temporary interoperability solution, making it possible for both environments to function during the migration.

File Migration Utility (FMU)

File Migration Utility (FMU) simplifies and accelerates the migration of files stored on servers running NetWare to Windows Server 2008 R2. As with MSDSS, you must use an intermediary server running Windows Server 2003 R2 with SP2 to migrate files using this utility.

Migrating from one platform to another can be time-consuming and costly. FMU reduces the time and expense of migrating from a NetWare operating system to a Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system. It copies groups of NetWare files from either one or several NetWare file and print servers to one or many "destination" servers running Windows Server 2008 R2. This capability is known as one-to-many and many-to-many support.

Integrated with MSDSS, FMU preserves file-access control lists so that security permissions are not lost during migration. In addition, end users can access their files during the migration process, a benefit that results in a seamless and transparent migration experience. FMU has a wizard-based migration management interface that simplifies both gradual and direct migrations. You can migrate files at your own pace and ensure that the file permissions unique to each file are preserved during the process.

FMU supports all major NetWare file systems and platforms and includes support for the IPX/SPX and TCP/IP network protocols. You can facilitate directory management and improve data availability by establishing directory interoperability. Best practices for planning and preparing for a migration are discussed and detailed step-by-step instructions for both staged and direct migrations are provided.