Novell has started shipping its Novell Open Enterprise
Server, which combines its NetWare network operating software with
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server software.
The package delivers to users file, print, directory,
management, collaboration and application services on a single
platform using established commercial and open source
solutions.
Jack Messman, Novell chief executive, said, "Open Enterprise
Server protects the prior investment that customers made in NetWare
and extends to them the freedom and flexibility of Linux.
"Only Novell is offering software from both the open source and
commercial spectrums to allow customers the flexibility of choice
which provides them real economic value through lower costs."
The server solution has won the hardware and chip backing of
AMD, Dell, HP, IBM and Intel, and security software companies
McAfee and Trend Micro have all given support.
These companies say they will bring out solutions supporting OES
in the near future.
Despite Novell using NetWare in the new product, there are still
fears among some users that Novell is about to end support for
established standalone NetWare solutions.
The company has yet to release a roadmap for new NetWare
development.