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Novell Remote Access Issues

Q: I have a small data center with one Novell NetWare Server 3.12 and four terminals. I developed our program in Clipper 5.3 and R&R 6.0 to create invoices, checks, payroll inventories, account payables, etc. Now, I have a computer in my home, and I want to run my program from home. Because Monday is the 15th (payday) and I need to have employee payroll ready on that day, I'd like to run my payroll system on Sunday.

Here's my problem: Because no one is in the office on Sunday, I need to know how I can turn on the server and one terminal, to connect from home to the office, and when I'm finished, turn off the server. I want to connect as a remote terminal.

I think I need one TrippLite UPS that has a modem inside, so I can dial and talk with the UPS, turn on a server and one terminal, and after I finish my job, turn everything off. I don't want to use the Internet, because when I download a file and it breaks for any reason, I have to start over.

--Jose A. Cabrera, Honduras

A: I'm presuming it's important to your office to turn computer equipment off. Many companies leave their systems on, especially servers, around the dock. This would simplify the process somewhat.

Barring this, your thoughts about the integrated Uninterruptible Power Supply/Modem system are good ones. Other alternatives involve computers with special boards or configurations. Your solution would have minimal impact on your existing hardware. It will take some work to get the configuration of a power-up modem right, since the time to bring a Novell server up, plus a workstation, can be rather long. You're also going to have to configure things so the server is up before the workstation starts; otherwise, the automated log on process for the workstation will fail, since the server won't be ready yet.