Challenge
This client had two objectives:

1.       Migrate from Novell NetWare 4.1 running Novell Directory Services to Windows NT 4.0 domain architecture.

2.       Consolidate the various domains into a single Master Domain model.

They needed an IT partner that could develop a complete strategy and implement the same with minimal impact to the end users. This partner would be responsible for the customer’s operations, spanning multiple business functions, spread across 3 business locations and different time zones. Gantec was awarded the project.

The Solution:Gantec’s approach included making intelligent decisions with the client. Gantec faced several challenges during the project transition phase. The first was the sheer magnitude of the customer’s operation, which consisted of 10 different Novell NetWare servers with various sub containers in the NDS tree structure and more than 10 Windows NT domains with different trust relationships.

Gantec used its knowledge-transfer process and well-documented project plan to ensure a smooth, manageable transition of key information from Novell to NT. The Gantec team analyzed the critical data on the client operation’s process, people, technology, and culture and executed the project, which completed the migration from Novell to NT to the Master Domain architecture.

Results:

1.       All the Novell data (Group shared data and the user home directories) were successfully migrated to NT.

2.       The Print and application services were transferred to respective NT servers in the resource domain of the new NT architecture, which was designed.

3.       The transition was transparent to the users and they were communicated using an Intranet page for the period of migration.

4.       A well-documented standard is in place to complete the migration of other NT domains into the master domain architecture and to manage the users and the security on the NT domain model.