CompuServe Thread

I have a request for suggestions and advice from those running decent sized networks. The boss is finally opening up to the idea of a network and I need to put together a proposal of startup costs and suggestions on software and hardware to purchase. My knowledge of networks is pretty limited, though I do have a basic understanding of how it all works. At first I would like to start out small, and network just four or five computers to start, though eventually it may branch out to most of the computers in the office, which currently is about fifty total, but realisitically, about ten of those aren't worth hooking up. The software would need to be able to communitcate with DOS, windows, windows for workgroups, windows 95, NT, and to our two IBM AIX boxes with are already networked together with tcp/ip and to an old dell 386/33 till it blew up and we can't get the network card to work in any other machine. As you can see, the situation is a little complex, so I am asking those who have experience with this sort of thing can nudge me in the right direction so I don't end up messing up out of ignorance. I've been thinking novell since it seems like it could handle the load, but I have no idea on network cards, except I would like them to be configureable from software (or self-configuring, is such a thing exists) rather than messing around with hardware jumpers. Many thanks to those who respond. Any help or suggestions is appreciated.