Novell builds case for Open Enterprise Server

For 20 years, it seems, Microsoft has delivered network technology years after first being developed by Novell (think directory services, for example). Now it appears that Novell is on the verge of a monumental shift not seen in computing since the introduction of Windows 95 almost 10 years ago.

Just as Win 95 "bridged the gap" between the 16-bit DOS/Windows3 world and that of the fully 32-bit Windows 98, so, too, does the upcoming release of Novell's Open Enterprise Server (OES) seek to bridge the gap from the closed, proprietary realm of NetWare to the open source Linux world.

When the name OES was announced a year ago, I was less than enthusiastic , just as I was not jumping up and down when the concept of a duel-kernel operating system (NetWare and Linux) was announced two years ago. Some people are still unhappy about that, as witness a recent meeting in the U.K. where longtime NetWare and GroupWise users were bemoaning the fate of their erstwhile favorite applications and services.

To continue reading, register here and become an Insider. You'll get free access to premium content from CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World. See more Insider content or sign in.

For 20 years, it seems, Microsoft has delivered network technology years after first being developed by Novell (think directory services, for example). Now it appears that Novell is on the verge of a monumental shift not seen in computing since the introduction of Windows 95 almost 10 years ago.

Just as Win 95 "bridged the gap" between the 16-bit DOS/Windows3 world and that of the fully 32-bit Windows 98, so, too, does the upcoming release of Novell's Open Enterprise Server (OES) seek to bridge the gap from the closed, proprietary realm of NetWare to the open source Linux world.

When the name OES was announced a year ago, I was less than enthusiastic , just as I was not jumping up and down when the concept of a duel-kernel operating system (NetWare and Linux) was announced two years ago. Some people are still unhappy about that, as witness a recent meeting in the U.K. where longtime NetWare and GroupWise users were bemoaning the fate of their erstwhile favorite applications and services.

But NetWare and GroupWise are not going away, although they might change.

I've watched many changes in NetWare over the years: the impact of "Advanced NetWare 1.0" back in '86; NetWare 3 and NetWare Loadable Modules (NLM) in 1989; directory services with NetWare 4 in 1993; and much more. The changes involved with OES might be the biggest gamble that Novell has ever taken. It might work, it might not - that's the nature of a gamble, isn't it? There are no guarantees of success.

What I can say is that Novell appears to be doing everything right, as they attempt to wean traditional NetWare users onto the open source platform, while at the same time migrate "traditional" (if you can call them that) Linux users to the highly manageable utilities and services of NetWare.

The company has spent a lot of time, money and effort to ensure that everyone will be comfortable with the changes they will have to make to run OES, a competent reseller and consultant force is in place from Day One, and to make the user experience (even the "network manager as user" experience) as seamless as possible. The stage has been set for a glittering triumph by the erstwhile network giant. All that's left is to deliver on their promise. We'll be watching, but I think we'll be rooting for you, too.

Tip of the week

If you don't have a copy of OES yet, there's still time to download your free copy of the public beta before the product actually ships later this month.

Read more about software in Network World's Software section.