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NetWare Connectivity Forum To Define Standards for NetWare-based Communications
Novell initiative brings together industry leaders to focus on communications APIs
BRAINSHARE '96, SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- March 19, 1996 -- Novell, Inc. today announced the establishment of the NetWare Connectivity Forum (NCF). For the first time, Novell will bring industry leaders together in an open forum to advance network communications services. The NCF is a consortium of technology leaders that will evaluate Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and influence their direction as they relate to NetWare connectivity. The NCF represents an effort for the communications segment consistent with Novell's strategic initiative, code-named Net2000, to provide developers with open interfaces to network services. By defining a common set of APIs, the Forum will give developers the ability to easily integrate a variety of communications products and services with NetWare networks, regardless of platform. As a result, users will enjoy an expanded range of product offerings and greater interoperability among vendor products. The NCF will comprise key industry leaders in the areas of internetworking, remote access, SNA connectivity and network applications. The group will also chart plans for managing communications information using NetWare Directory Services (NDS). The scope of the Forum is worldwide, according to Tom Steding, vice president and general manager of Novell's Communications Infrastructure Division. "This Forum is a key component in enabling Novell's vision of a Smart Global Network interconnecting today's private business networks with the Internet. It provides the leadership necessary for delivering the infrastructure and demonstrates Novell's continuing commitment to opening up NetWare-based services to create an intelligent network environment."
Bay Networks, Cisco Systems and U.S. Robotics Are Key Contributors Bay Networks, Cisco Systems and U.S. Robotics are among the initial members of the NetWare Connectivity Forum. These companies, along with other members, see the opportunity to further enhance the benefits of their solutions for customers by integrating them more tightly with the NetWare communications environment. Mick Scully, vice president of Bay Networks® Router Product Business Unit, said that the Forum will have a very focused agenda. "Our relationship with Novell and our joint efforts in this Forum will deliver a de facto standard that will provide more value-added networking solutions and broaden the scope of partner products," he said. The Forum's initial focus will be to enhance APIs for NetWare communications. For its part, Novell will deliver the Net2000 Communications Engine (NCE), a comprehensive communications platform for opening up NetWare services to APIs defined by the Forum. The engine will consist of core communications technologies including routing and WAN services, and is the foundation of Novell's own communications products. Novell will provide a preview of the NCE architecture at BrainShare'96. "With the introduction of NCF, Novell is taking the lead in moving NetWare-based communications forward," said David Gudmundson, division director, Access Business Unit, at Cisco Systems. "The NCF initiative will ultimately bring the collective strengths of Cisco and Novell together to provide more powerful end-to-end networking solutions for NetWare users."
Network Administrators, End Users Will Enjoy Expanded Choices, Easier Management By helping developers integrate their products easily with NetWare, the NCF benefits both network administrators and end users. Expanded choices in the NetWare environment will enable administrators to customize systems with products that best support their business goals, without having to compromise due to platform limitations. Growing networks will be easier to manage, with products entering the market that enhance interoperability in heterogeneous computing environments. The NCF will expedite the delivery of communications products and services as Forum members develop to common specifications, enabling them to more efficiently meet rapidly changing customer needs.
NetWare Connectivity Forum Benefits Members Members of the Forum will see broadened development opportunities arising from the NCF initiatives. Tighter integration with the NetWare environment will allow products to register within NDS. For example, an internetworking device from a variety of manufacturers could appear as an object in the NDS tree, much as a network user does today. The Forum will encourage innovative development of products and solutions for the NetWare market. NCF members will have access to Novell Labs® engineering development support as well as certification test support. "By working jointly with Novell to expand the communications capabilities of NetWare, we'll ultimately provide the market with a stronger set of remote access solutions for any size application," said Ross Manire, senior vice president and general manager of U.S. Robotics Corporate/Systems Division. The first meeting of the NCF will take place in Las Vegas at the NetWorld+Interop exhibition on April 1. Initial working groups will cover routing, WAN services and communications management with NDS, continuing the efforts of the IPX Advisory Council under a broadened routing workgroup. Additional workgroups will be defined throughout the year, largely based on customer and member input. The Forum is open to companies that have an interest in furthering communications technology to develop networking solutions for users. More information about the NCF will be posted on Novell's home page at http:/iamg.novell.com/partners by April 1, 1996. Novell (NASDAQ:NOVL) is the world's leading network software provider. Novell software provides the infrastructure for a networked world, enabling our customers to connect with other people and the information they need, anytime and anyplace. Novell partners with other technology and market leaders to help customers make networks a part of their everyday lives. Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks; NetWare Directory Services and NDS are trademarks of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Press Contacts:
Mark Bingham
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