Novell moves from Netware reliance

Novell is regrouping its efforts around its directory architecture model to try to grab more of the internet-based services market.

At its annual Brainshare customer conference in Salt Lake City this week, the company set out a vision of different types of network, including the internet, corporate intranets, and extranets, evolving into a single network - the net.

Novell's eservices strategy is to provide software that can power the net across all operating environments.

"Net services eliminate traditional network boundaries to help create one net, a secure and efficient foundation for conducting business inside, outside and between organisations," said Eric Schmidt, its chairman and chief executive.

The announcements are a move away from Novell's traditional reliance on sales of its Netware network operating system, which has suffered in the face of Windows NT, and into the new ebusiness services market.

Novell's strategy is based on its Directory-enabled Net Infrastructure Model (Denim), underpinned by Novell Directory Services. Novell says that all its products will use the Denim model and will allow companies to simplify and secure ebusiness systems. It says its "one Net" services will be cross-platform and consistent across internal and Internet networks.

- Novell also announced the open beta of its DirXML technology. Due to ship this summer, DirXML allows organisations to link and manage user profiles across networks, cutting management and administration costs.

DirXML coordinates places where user profile information is stored, such as applications, operating systems, databases and network devices, creating centralised control over user profile data. By connecting all user profile data on the network, organisations can get their houses in order as they accelerate their transformation to eBusiness, Novell claims.