Connect Old Dos5 box to NT Server...

marktrubo · 09-09-2006, 02:16 PM

I have several old boxes running some applications that are on dos 5. Yep, I said OLD! Right now they connect to an old novell server and that is connected to a media converter (it is the old coax with T connectors, not ethernet cables) and then a switch to talk to the NT server.

I would like to take the Novell server out of the loop -- one less old thing to have troubles with.

How would I do this? I do have at least one box to play around with that is not running a critical application 24/7, so I am open to suggestions and I'll give it a whirl.

Thanks!

**johnwill** · 09-09-2006, 02:20 PM

The MS-DOS TCP/IP stack can be found on the NT4 server CD.

marktrubo · 09-09-2006, 02:24 PM

Sorry for being a dummy, but what exactly do I do?

**johnwill** · 09-09-2006, 03:16 PM

Well, I don't have an NT4 disk to look, but as I recall from years ago, there was some sort of basic setup files to configure the network. I think I'd start with a Google on the topic, I'm sure you're not the first person that setup TCP/IP on MS-DOS. I did it years ago, and it wasn't much of an issue, but I don't have any of the drivers or configuration files around any more.

**Bill_Castner** · 09-09-2006, 03:43 PM

Microsoft Virtual PC is now free. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx

Client Workstations:
I would install XP as the VIrtual PC Host. I would then install a new virtual PC running MS-DOS 5, on which I would install Windows for Workgroups 3.11

Windows For Worgroup goes for about US$5.00 a copy on E-bay and other sites.

Replacement for NT server:

I would replace the NT sever with a brand spanking new XP Pro with fast hard drives and healthy amount of RAM.

Most of the workstation users likely would spend most of their time on the XP Virtual Machine. But for your old DOS application they would just flip into the DOS 5.0 virtual machine and access the XP "server" with Windows for Workgroups.

.

**johnwill** · 09-09-2006, 06:18 PM

Bill, what about the 10 connection limit for XP-Pro?

I like the idea of VPC, I use it here.

marktrubo · 09-09-2006, 06:40 PM

Yep, the user limit of XP would be a problem -- there are like 35 units connected to the NT Server.

Also, the Dos 5 boxes have a bunch of old hardware in them that is the key to their purpose -- voice boards for IVR apps.

They are real monsters -- 66 Mhz chips, 8K of RAM, 300 MB hard drives. But, they have been running 24/7 since like 1993 with little to no problems. They do have their clocks set back in time since the bios were not Y2K compatible. I did start the thread saying they are OLD!

So, I really need to stick with the hardware as-is -- just want to get them on the netowrk without the Novell server & media converter. Ideas?

**Bill_Castner** · 09-09-2006, 07:06 PM

It would be an issue if there were more than 10 simultaneous connections needed.

Install Windows 98SE on the "server." No connection limit.

For that matter, install Linux with SAMBA.

Install Windows for Workgroups 3.11 under DOS 5 for all clients.

**johnwill** · 09-10-2006, 03:18 PM

You can use the WFWG TCP/IP stack, which I believe is basically what you have on the NT4 CD.

09-09-2006, 02:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
marktrubo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 27 OS: NT Server	Connect Old Dos5 box to NT Server... I have several old boxes running some applications that are on dos 5. Yep, I said OLD! Right now they connect to an old novell server and that is connected to a media converter (it is the old coax with T connectors, not ethernet cables) and then a switch to talk to the NT server. I would like to take the Novell server out of the loop -- one less old thing to have troubles with. How would I do this? I do have at least one box to play around with that is not running a critical application 24/7, so I am open to suggestions and I'll give it a whirl. Thanks!

09-09-2006, 02:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,643 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	The MS-DOS TCP/IP stack can be found on the NT4 server CD. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-09-2006, 03:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,643 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Well, I don't have an NT4 disk to look, but as I recall from years ago, there was some sort of basic setup files to configure the network. I think I'd start with a Google on the topic, I'm sure you're not the first person that setup TCP/IP on MS-DOS. I did it years ago, and it wasn't much of an issue, but I don't have any of the drivers or configuration files around any more. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-09-2006, 03:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bill_Castner Users Helping Users Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,029 OS: XP SP2 Vista Win2k	Microsoft Virtual PC is now free. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx Client Workstations: I would install XP as the VIrtual PC Host. I would then install a new virtual PC running MS-DOS 5, on which I would install Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Windows For Worgroup goes for about US$5.00 a copy on E-bay and other sites. Replacement for NT server: I would replace the NT sever with a brand spanking new XP Pro with fast hard drives and healthy amount of RAM. Most of the workstation users likely would spend most of their time on the XP Virtual Machine. But for your old DOS application they would just flip into the DOS 5.0 virtual machine and access the XP "server" with Windows for Workgroups. . __________________ MS-MVP Windows Networking VSOP AUMHA Forums MVM BroadbandReports / DSLR MVP Tek-Tips Last edited by Bill_Castner; 09-09-2006 at 03:45 PM.

09-09-2006, 06:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,643 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Bill, what about the 10 connection limit for XP-Pro? I like the idea of VPC, I use it here. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-09-2006, 02:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
marktrubo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 27 OS: NT Server	Sorry for being a dummy, but what exactly do I do?

09-09-2006, 06:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
marktrubo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 27 OS: NT Server	Yep, the user limit of XP would be a problem -- there are like 35 units connected to the NT Server. Also, the Dos 5 boxes have a bunch of old hardware in them that is the key to their purpose -- voice boards for IVR apps. They are real monsters -- 66 Mhz chips, 8K of RAM, 300 MB hard drives. But, they have been running 24/7 since like 1993 with little to no problems. They do have their clocks set back in time since the bios were not Y2K compatible. I did start the thread saying they are OLD! So, I really need to stick with the hardware as-is -- just want to get them on the netowrk without the Novell server & media converter. Ideas? Last edited by marktrubo; 09-09-2006 at 06:50 PM.

09-09-2006, 07:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bill_Castner Users Helping Users Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,029 OS: XP SP2 Vista Win2k	It would be an issue if there were more than 10 simultaneous connections needed. Install Windows 98SE on the "server." No connection limit. For that matter, install Linux with SAMBA. Install Windows for Workgroups 3.11 under DOS 5 for all clients. __________________ MS-MVP Windows Networking VSOP AUMHA Forums MVM BroadbandReports / DSLR MVP Tek-Tips Last edited by Bill_Castner; 09-09-2006 at 07:09 PM.

09-10-2006, 03:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,643 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	You can use the WFWG TCP/IP stack, which I believe is basically what you have on the NT4 CD. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience