Windows NT, UNIX, NetWare Migration/Coexistence: A Professional's Guide

Many "overview" books assume that the reader is a semi-animated managerial type who can't handle any technicalities at all. Thankfully, Windows NT, UNIX, NetWare Migration and Coexistence: A Professional's Guide isn't like that. In this book, Rajagopal provides decision-makers with a comprehensive view of integration problems and solutions. While the author doesn't provide much step-by-step guidance, he does supply the reader with enough information to make informed decisions about which technologies to investigate further, and which to ignore.

Rajagopal begins by talking about porting applications. This book distinguishes itself in its discussion about the conversion of Windows NT programs to Unix, and Unix to Windows NT. The author covers cross-platform program development, but ignores Java. Instead, he focuses on isolating environment-specific code from business logic, and on using development tools like the WISE software developer's kit (SDK), computer-aided software engineering (CASE), and integrated CASE. Rajagopal proceeds to discuss emulators (including NTRIGUE and Samba) that, in various combinations, permit Windows NT boxes to act like Unix machines.

More pedestrian stuff gets attention, too: the author explains file and printer sharing across platforms, as well as mutual administration and electronic mail integration. His fact-dense prose is marred only by some grainy and otherwise poorly produced illustrations.

If you're trying to decide on the approach to integration and migration that's right for your organization, this book will help you explore all the options. --David Wall