Novell Netware To Gain Web Enhancements With Upcoming Netware 'Cobra' Release

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, May 17, 1999

New Novell JVM, Multi-Processor Netware Version Also In The Works

Continuing to turn NetWare into a more robust platform for developing and deploying open, Web-based applications, Novell says it will soon deliver an Internet enhancement pack for its popular NetWare 5 server operating system. Taking advantage of Microsoft's delayed release of Windows NT 5.0, Novell plans to integrate many important Web technologies into an upcoming release of NetWare, code-named "Cobra," that will make it easier for customers to manage their networks, run applications and integrate Novell Directory Services (NDS).

The Cobra release of NetWare will integrate a variety of Web-enabling technologies including a 5-user version of Oracle8i and Oracle WebDB for Web-enabling SQL databases, IBM WebSphere for developing high-end Web applications and the Netscape Enterprise Server for enterprise- class Web server capabilities. Cobra will also take greater advantage of HTTP as a core protocol and benefit customers by allowing them to manage servers through a browser.

"Integration of leading application server and database technology allows Cobra to put enterprise class Web applications within the reach of every NetWare customer," says Craig Peters, senior systems engineer with Intraware, a New York-based provider of Web-based business software services. "Organizations will quickly reap the benefit of consolidating enterprise data and services access on the NetWare platform. By building Web applications on top of a proven directory, companies will maximize their resources."

"As companies look to take greater advantage of the Internet with their existing applications, NetWare will provide the best technologies to help them get there," adds Brian Faustyn, director of NetWare product marketing at Novell. "With Cobra, Novell will provide our customers with all the tools they need to take greater advantage of open, Internet-based applications and integrate them with their existing systems."

Following Cobra, Novell plans to release the multi-processor-enhanced version of NetWare, code-named "6 Pack." In this release, Novell says it will multi-processor enable all of the core networking services in NetWare including file and print services, Novell Storage Services, NDS 8 -- Novell's highly scalable directory services -- and Novell's next- generation Java Virtual Machine.

With 6 Pack, customers will be able to take advantage of multi- processor servers including 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32-way servers offered from many Novell hardware partners including Compaq, Dell, Hewlett- Packard, and IBM.

Novell is also actively working with Intel on the IA-64 Merced processor initiative and is planning a modular approach to releasing products on Merced. Novell execs say the approach will allow Novell to quickly and more easily provide 64-bit solutions for customers when Merced begins shipping in mid-2000.

At its annual BrianShare conference in March, Novell demonstrated its first 64-bit caching application running on a simulated Merced processor. Novell expects to release several other 64-bit applications through its Modesto initiative following the release of Merced.