Novell reinforced its commitment to open source Linux for
business at its annual Brainshare user conference in Salt Lake City
last week by announcing that the launch of the next version of its
core Netware product was being brought forward by a
year.
Novell told delegates that Netware 7 would be renamed and combined
with the SuSE Linux Enterprise Server in one package.
The new product will give users the option of using either Netware
or Linux to control their networks, and includes Linux networking
services that support both environments.
Novell chief executive Jack Messman said the Open Enterprise Server
would start shipping by the end of the year.
Al Gillen, an analyst at IDC, said, "Novell's installed base
represents a large, loyal group of customers who are prime
prospects to deploy SuSE Linux alongside their Netware systems." He
described Open Enterprise Server as "customer-friendly".
Netware will not be made open source, according to Novell
vice-chairman Chris Stone. He acknowledged that the company's
strategy over the past year was to push open source computing and
networking - illustrated by the big acquisitions of SuSE Linux and
Ximian - but he said it is "vital" the company does not relinquish
its main proprietary software development.
Stone called for the "peaceful coexistence of proprietary and
open-source products" in the enterprise market.
l Novell's Linux strategy was given a boost after it received
backing from two of the world's biggest manufacturers of desktop
PCs and servers.
Hewlett-Packard and IBM announced at Brainshare that they would
ship products using Novell's SuSE Linux operating system. IBM said
it would give users the choice of having SuSE Linux Enterprise
Server preloaded onto any of its main server line.
IBM said it would also allow users the option of loading Red Hat's
Linux onto its servers.
In another boon for Novell, Hewlett-Packard said it was extending
its support for the SuSE platform on its servers, to providing the
operating system on its desktop PCs too.
Next for Novell
The next version of Novell's Netware network operating system will
be combined with SuSE Linux Enterprise Server
Novell's Zenworks products will be combined with Ximian's Red
Carpet Enterprise Linux-based management system
Novell's Yast (Yet Another Set-up Tool) will be made open
source
The Novell iFolder personal storage and filing software will become
open source
Open source Linux software from Novell will be loaded onto desktops
and servers from Hewlett-Packard and IBM.