ZENworks for Networks on the ropes
 
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Sadly, it looks like Novell may be considering cutting short the life of a very promising software tool: ZENworks for Networks.
In the Feb. 7 issue of the Focus on Directory Services newsletter, I noted that it was expected that ZENworks for Networks (ZfN) would be able to control policies and access for any hardware - hubs, routers, switches, etc. - following the Directory Enabled Network specification. Such hardware includes products from Cisco, Nortel and Lucent.
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Our sister publication, InfoWorld, said, "ZENworks for Networks 1.0 offers a great deal to organizations that can't afford an ever-increasing Internet pipe and want to make better use of their existing bandwidth. It's a very good first step on the road to managing networks more efficiently, using familiar tools and well-understood foundation technology."
Unfortunately, this product, with great potential for controlling quality of service by means of the directory, may never get past Release 1.0. Novell is thinking of dropping all development for the product launched with much fanfare only last January.
The question is, with Novell so strapped for talent in the wake of mass defections, can it afford to commit the talent necessary to continue development. Perhaps ZfN doesn't fit with the new, Internet-based services business Novell wishes to develop.
Everyone who's tried the product likes it and can see great potential in it - but only if Novell devotes the necessary resources to it. It's a chance for a big win for a company that needs a win of any kind.
Tell all of your contacts (sales, consulting, education - whoever you deal with at Novell) this is a technology you want to see further developed.
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Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. His most recent book is "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks" published by SAMS. Dave's company, Virtual Quill, provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more at Virtual Quill or by e-mail at info@vquill.com
NetWare archive
Past newsletters.
Staying alive
Network World, 07/31/00
Novell infuses ZEN with Windows support
Network World, 07/03/00
The ZEN of NetWare server management
Network World, 05/08/00
