Press Release

NOVELL DELIVERS FULL ACCESS TO POWERFUL NETWARE SERVICES, INCLUDING NDS, WITH ADVANCED NETWARE CLIENT 32 FOR WINDOWS 95

NetWare Client 32 Open Beta Software Leverages Native Windows 95 Interfaces To Ease Installation and Use

PROVO, Utah -- October 31, 1995 --Novell, Inc. today delivered its NetWare Client 32# for Windows 95 as open beta software available to all NetWare users. The NetWare client software gives Windows 95 users the most comprehensive access to all essential NetWare services, including Novell's industry-standard directory, Netware Directory Services# (NDS#). Downloadable free of charge from NetWire#, the 32-bit client software features an updated user license agreement that enables any interested NetWare user to run the software. The client also includes Novell's NetWare Application Manager to centralize and track application usage in NetWare environments.

"We've seen strong demand for NetWare Client 32, so we chose to give our customers open beta software that is extremely accessible, stable and easy to use. We delivered the open beta software last week to our beta test customers, resellers and Novell SEs, and we're anticipating positive response," said William Donahoo, director of product marketing for Novell's Operating Systems Division. "The client's robust features demonstrate our commitment to providing the best access to NetWare networks. Upcoming 32-bit clients for DOS and Windows and Macintosh will reflect this commitment, as will future enhancements to the current 32-bit NetWare Client for Windows NT."

The NetWare Client 32 for Windows 95 tightly integrates with Windows 95 to make installation and use quick and straightforward. Users can customize the client's configuration through the Windows 95 Registry to optimize performance and enable security. They can also access NetWare file and print resources through the familiar Windows 95 Network Neighborhood and Explorer interfaces. Novell's NetWare client also allows users to:

  • Access fully all NetWare services and resources through NDS via Windows 95 interfaces;
  • Take advantage of long file name conventions and store the files on NetWare servers;
  • Connect to NetWare 2.x, 3.x and 4.x networks using a graphical login sequence;
  • Implement NetWare environments using an organization's network protocols (IPX/SPX, NetWare/IP, TCP/IP, TLI and Winsock), hardware and applications of choice;
  • Reconnect automatically to all previous services and resources, including connections, mappings, captures, open files and file locks;
  • Enable reliable network security through packet signature and secure password authentication;
  • Leverage high-performance capabilities such as support for enhanced packet burst, network caching, new NCP support and connection multiplexing;
  • Simplify configuration and management by supporting property pages and user profiles;
  • Ease diagnostic support by providing interfaces to a number of tools through GNMA, NMR and LANAlyzer/ManageWise support; and
  • Accommodate future NetWare updates such as NetWare Distributed Print Services (NDPS) and a 32-bit NetWare Administrator# (NWAdmin#) for Windows 95.

One of the most innovative additions to the NetWare Client 32 is the NetWare Application Manager utility, which leverages NDS to simplify management of network applications by allowing administrators to centrally control users' Windows desktops. The NetWare Application Manager lets administrators create application objects in NDS trees, expediting management and simplifying user connections to applications. Because network administrators can deploy network applications, assign them by user and then store that information in NDS, Windows users are assured of consistent access to their productivity applications from anywhere on a network, without requiring login scripts.

NetWare Client 32 for Windows 95 open beta software is available to Windows 95 users worldwide. Customers can download Novell's NetWare client, free of charge, from the NetWire forum on CompuServe (GO NETWIRE) and the World Wide Web (http://netwire.novell.com).

As Client 32 evolves, Novell will update the beta software to enable the following:

  • Authenticate to, and browse, services on multiple NDS trees;
  • Browse network resources during a graphical network login;
  • Remotely dial in to RAS servers;
  • Print to remote printers through a Windows 95-specific utility;
  • Leverage system policy support;
  • Automatically update NetWare Client for Windows 95 software across a network.

Novell's final NetWare Client 32 for Windows 95 will be available at no charge to NetWare customers. For additional information, customers can contact Novell at (800) NETWARE, or download information from NetWire on CompuServe or the World Wide Web (http://www.novell.com).

Press Contact:
Trudy Edelson, Cunningham Communication, Inc.
(408) 764-0749
Internet: trudy@ccipr.com