Novell Announces Nterprise Linux Services To Ship Tomorrow

Novell took another step this week in its goal to become a major Linux player by announcing the availability of Nterprise Linux Services 1.0. Novell said it will release on Dec. 18 a suite of its flagship NetWare services--including file, print, messaging, directory and management services--on the open-source operating system. Novell had announced last month its planned acquisition of Linux distribution company SUSE Linux.

Novell Nterprise Linux Services 1.0 integrates the company's Virtual Office, eDirectory, iFolder, iPrint and iManage features found in NetWare 6.5, along with its NetMail Internet messaging and calendaring capabilities, and Novell Resource Management code from Ximian Red Carpet network service.

The integrated stack will be available through Novell Authorized Resellers and solution providers at a suggested price of $59 per user, the company said.

The services initially will be supported on the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Sources expect Novell will compete directly against Red Hat, however, when the Provo, Utah-based company completes its merger with SUSE in early 2004.

Novell received early backing from the services organizations of Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Computer Associates International to deploy the network services to enterprise customers.Novell had announced its plans to move NetWare services to Linux at its BrainShare conference this past March. The services moved into beta testing this fall. Novell said it remains committed to porting the services to the native Linux kernel.

Solution providers say it's too early to tell if the services will catch on, but Novell's ambitious Linux road map is causing many in the NetWare camp to halt their defection plans.

"I do not have any customers using it yet, but many are interested," said Michael Goldstein, vice president at LAN Associates, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.