Novell Unveils Long-Term Plans for Linux in the Workgroup

Novell committed to providing Linux as a clear alternative for current NetWare customers and users of proprietary workgroup products

15 March 2006

Novell today announced long-term plans for Novell® Open Enterprise Server, including a roadmap for two future product releases. Novell also announced it will continue to support Novell NetWare® 6.5 as long as customers choose to run it. As a result, Novell customers can continue to leverage their NetWare investments while gaining new options with Linux* to run their advanced services and applications, with little or no disruption to their current IT environments.

The next release of Open Enterprise Server, codenamed “Cypress,” is scheduled to be released in mid-2007 and is planned to contain features including server virtualization, improved integration of services between Microsoft* Active Directory and Novell eDirectoryTM using Kerberos, support for AMD and Intel x86-64-bit processors, and many others. “Ponderosa” is planned to follow, focusing on advanced solutions for Novell's next generation of collaborative services, along with workgroup platform innovations for improving the productivity of knowledge workers. Since its introduction last year, Novell has shipped more than 8 million Open Enterprise Server licenses to nearly 10,000 new and existing customers.

“Our NetWare customers are embracing Open Enterprise Server, and new customers are adopting it, as well,” said Jeff Jaffe, Novell executive vice president and chief technology officer. “We have been extremely pleased with how both existing and new customers have received Open Enterprise Server to help them introduce the benefits of Linux into their environments. Future versions of Open Enterprise Server will focus on letting customers take full advantage of hardware enhancements, experience improved system interoperability and flexibly address the individual needs of their organization.”

Cypress is also slated to include the many benefits of SUSE® Linux Enterprise that were announced separately today, in addition to innovations in enterprise printing with print accounting and remote printer management.

Jason Cowie, chief information officer for Macmahon Holdings, a contracting and services firm headquartered in Perth, Australia, said, “Our plan is to rebuild our Novell infrastructure with Open Enterprise Server, migrating from NetWare 6.5. We see that as a perfect choice – both NetWare and Linux kernels supported by Novell, both secure, both stable. And when we make our move across to Linux, we have the vision already laid out and the flexibility to do it.”

NetWare Support Continues
Novell understands that for some customers, it will take time to migrate to Linux. With the advancements in virtualization technology, Novell can and will support NetWare 6.5 for as long as required, whether that is 10 years or longer.

“Novell recognizes the need to continue supporting its loyal NetWare customers, and the announcement of what amounts to perpetual support for NetWare through the use of virtual machine technology should be welcome news to NetWare users,” said Al Gillen, research director of system software at IDC. “This will reduce pressure to migrate off Novell and gives users the opportunity to experience Linux through Open Enterprise Server – on their own terms and timing.”

Novell Open Enterprise Server is the foundation of the new Novell Open Workgroup Suite, also announced today. For more information about Novell Open Enterprise Server, visit http://www.novell.com/oes.

About Novell

Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) delivers Software for the Open Enterprise™. With more than 50,000 customers in 43 countries, Novell helps customers manage, simplify, secure and integrate their technology environments by leveraging best-of-breed, open standards-based software. With over 20 years of experience, more than 5,000 employees, 5,000 partners and support centers around the world, Novell helps customers gain control over their IT operating environment while reducing cost. More information about Novell can be found at http://www.novell.com.

Novell, NetWare and SUSE are registered trademarks, BrainShare is a registered service mark, and eDirectory and Software for the Open Enterprise are trademarks of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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