Novell Turns Up Heat With Linux Push
Novell Chairman and CEO Jack Messman said Monday that Novell's series of traditional services, including file, print, store, messaging and collaboration, will be offered on Linux.
In addition to making NetWare 7.0 run natively on the Linux kernel, Novell plans to offer a GroupWise client for LInux and Macintosh for the first time as well as ZenWorks for Linux, but executives declined to specify timetables. Executives also declined to elaborate on LInux support planned for the NetWare services between now and when version 7.0 launches.
At BrainShare 2003 here, Messman said as Novell moves more aggressively toward open-source standards, it hopes to preserve its loyal customer base and prevent defection.
"One opportunity is to provide these services on Linux, and we're going to make Linux a viable data center platform," Messman said during his opening keynote.
"The NetWare path forward will include Linux as well," he noted. "The services will sit on both NetWare and Linux kernels."
He said the forthcoming NetWare 6.5 would also support Linux but did not detail those plans. NetWare 6.5 is expected to ship midyear. Messman's presentation slides included mention of 6.5 Novell Services, but he did not elaborate.
Messman was quick to say this is not an end-game for NetWare. "We are not dropping NetWare. We are adding Linux." (More on Brainshare news and NetWare 6.5.)
"You don't have to abandon NetWare services to get Linux. We will not abandon you, and you don't need to abandon us."
Novell will offer both NetWare and Linux options on its maintenance contracts so users can decide to move entirely to Linux while still using NetWare services atop that open-source operating system. An estimated 6,500 Novell partners and customers are at the annual BrainShare event here.