Novell Announces NetWare Connect 2, Remote Access Platform For Enterprise Connectivity

SAN JOSE, CA--June 12, 1995--To help network managers meet the growing demands of their remote users, Novell, Inc. today announced NetWare Connect 2, a remote access platform for enterprise connectivity. NetWare Connect 2 meets network managers' needs for enhanced security, simplified management and network scalability.

NetWare Connect 2 is a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) that provides a comprehensive suite of remote access solutions on a single integrated platform. It provides a central point of access, enabling communications equipment to be shared by local and remote users in a dynamic, bi-directional manner. Up to 128 local and remote PC and Apple Macintosh users can dial in and out, to access network resources and on-line services.

"NetWare Connect 2 is a key component of Novell's vision of accessing information any time, any place," said Steve Markman, executive vice president of Novell's Information Access and Management Group. "This product helps network managers provide users seamless access to the information they need to do their jobs from remote locations, such as offices, hotels and homes. This type of secure remote access is a critical part of doing business in the '90s," he added.

"This is an even better version of a great product," said Derrick DeCarlo, vice president of operations of Safenet, an Atlanta technical and professional services company which beta tested the product. "We like the fact that we can centralize all our communications services on one machine. We'll be able to link remote mail, remote communications and fax through the product. In effect, we'll have one server with several modems on it and be able to use it for anything," he added.

According to a 1994 International Data Corporation, a market-research company headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, NetWare Connect represents approximately 30 percent of the remote access ports shipped. It is one of the leading remote access platforms on the market today. Analysts expect the market to grow rapidly over the rest of the decade as work is increasingly done outside of the traditional office. For example, the number of workers telecommuting regularly in the United States will rise from 3 million in 1993 to 10 million in 1996, according to the Yankee Group, a Boston-based market research firm. Network administrators are faced with giving these users seamless remote access to corporate information.

New Features

To help meet this growing demand for remote access, NetWare Connect 2 includes several new features that improve security, simplify management and enhance flexibility:

• Integration with NetWare 4.1 and NetWare Directory Services -- Network managers can administer remote access rights and security on an enterprise level. A user's remote access privileges are tied to the common NetWare Directory Services database and automatically reflected throughout the network. NetWare Connect 2 is the only remote access product integrated with NetWare Directory Services.

• Enterprise Management -- An expanded remote access audit system gives network administrators a global view of communications resources and activities. The audit trail displays hardware and usage information, such as line conditions and system alerts. Additional management capabilities are provided by the product's Windows-based module, ConnectView, which graphically presents enterprise-wide trend analysis and cost-accounting information. This allows network managers to optimize resources and charge back costs. NetWare Connect 2 is the only remote access product offering enterprise-wide cost accounting.

• Multi-Level Security -- To help network managers protect sensitive information, NetWare Connect 2 has added several global and service-specific security options, allowing network managers to choose the appropriate level of security to meet their needs. Additionally, NetWare Connect 2 features an extended security interface that allows third-party developers of challenge-response systems (such as Enigma Logic Systems) to offer highly integrated security solutions.

• Scalable Architecture -- To help protect their communication investment, network managers can scale the number of ports on a server from two to as many as 128, twice the number as the previous version. Network managers can add capacity in increments of two, eight or 32 ports to their existing configuration.

• Expanded Inbound and Outbound Access -- NetWare Connect 2 simplifies both dial-in and dial-out remote LAN access. Users can dial in from Windows using the industry-standard Point to Point Protocol (PPP) to make a remote node connection. The dialer includes a new point-and-click interface, phone book and call-scripting tool which allows users to program in routine procedures, making the connection process easier. NetWare Connect 2 includes both IP and IPX protocol stacks, which increase connectivity options, and Novell's client kit, which makes set up a single-task operation.

• New utilities allow Windows and Apple Macintosh users to dial out through NetWare Connect, using common communications equipment (such as a pool of modems). This resource sharing allows for more efficient use of equipment and phone lines, simplifying management and reducing costs.

• Simplified Configuration -- Several automated processes simplify installation and configuration. The product can automatically determine ports, modems and related drivers. When multiple communication servers are being deployed, an installer can copy the basic configuration of a single NetWare Connect 2 server to additional servers. Specific configuration information can be viewed or printed, simplifying management.

"This is the most comprehensive server-based remote access platform I've seen," said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, a San Jose, California-market research firm. "I think it effectively meets network manager's real-world needs for security, flexibility and manageability today, and shows that Novell is trying to anticipate users' future requirements."

Other Significant Features and Benefits

The new product builds on other popular features of the first version, which have made it the most flexible and manageable product in its class. For example, NetWare Connect 2 supports a variety of connection types and services such as analogue modems, X.25 PADs (Packet Assembler/Disassembler) and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) terminal adapters.

NetWare Connect 2 has the most open architecture of any remote access product available today. The new version supports the growing list of third-party hardware and software developers who are already providing NetWare Connect-compatible products.

Pricing and Availability

The two-, eight- and 32-port versions of NetWare Connect 2 will be available in July for suggested list prices of (U.S.) $495, $1,995 and $5,995 respectively. Multiple NetWare Connect 2 modules, totaling up to 128 ports, can be installed on a single server. Upgrades are available. The ConnectView graphical management module will be available in August. For pricing and information outside the United States and Canada, customers should contact their local Novell Authorized Reseller.