LAN Design announces availability of Novell NetWare 5

LAN Design has announced that Novell NetWare 5 is available. This flagship product signals the evolution of the world`s most trusted network software into an even more powerful platform for Internet-enabled business. Based on open Internet standards, NetWare 5 allows customers to extend their networks and effectively manage distributed applications across diverse platforms including the World Wide Web. Powered by NDS, Novell`s industry-leading directory service, NetWare 5 enables businesses of all sizes to dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of deploying, managing and securing their networks including applications, desktops, users, data, printers, protocols and much more.

NetWare 5 is a Year-2000-ready platform designed to help businesses make a smooth transition to the networks of the 21st century. Businesses world-wide have evaluated over 350,000 pre-release copies of NetWare 5. Currently in production, NetWare 5 has proven so reliable that many businesses are already using it as part of their production networks.

"Today, Novell moves to centre stage in the Internet marketplace," says Robyn Miller, Novell product manager at LAN Design. "NetWare 5 takes everything NetWare is famous for the reliability, the security, the directory technology years ahead of competitors and magnifies it in an Internet world of open standards. With NetWare 5, customers leap ahead of the pack with smarter, more manageable and efficient networks. Novell has regained its rightful place as the only networking vendor who can get them there."

NetWare 5 combines the maturity and reliability of the traditional NetWare network with the global reach and open standards of the Internet. Compared to the multiple protocols used in general-purpose systems such as Microsoft Windows NT, NetWare 5`s "pure" Internet Protocol (IP) uses network bandwidth much more efficiently, simplifies protocol management and offers better integration with today`s solutions. NetWare 5 also includes an enhanced version of NDS, including support for the LDAP Version 3 communication standard for interoperability with other directories and new directory-enabled security features including public/private key technology and support for the various levels of international cryptography. NetWare 5 also includes the world`s fastest Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for running server-based applications and services written in Java, the programming language of the Internet.

Other new features of NetWare give customers a range of additional tools and solutions to get the maximum value out of their networks. These include a five-user license of Oracle8, the best-selling database management software from Oracle Corp. and an integrated Netscape FastTrack Server.

Channel Ready to Meet Demand

In preparation for the shipment of NetWare 5, Novell created a number of channel programmes designed to optimise sales and support resources. Novell Education partnered with independent Novell Authorised Education Centres (NAECs) to provide a series of "boot camps" comprehensive, hands-on technical workshops for channel partners and Certified Novell Engineers (CNEs) around the world.

The best feature of NetWare 5 is that one does not have to go through major server hardware upgrades. The only additional item required on the server is... "a mouse".