Press Release

Novell Delivers Robust Client For Windows NT Desktops

New 32-bit NetWare Client for Windows NT Enters Open Beta; Fully Supports Upcoming Windows NT 4.0 Workstation

OREM, Utah -- July 30, 1996 -- Novell, Inc., the world's leading provider of networking software solutions, today announced that its NetWare® Client for Windows NT software will enter open beta by August 14, when it will become available for download from Novell on-line forums on CompuServe and the World Wide Web. The NetWare Client for Windows NT provides Windows NT desktops with a seamless, cost-effective networking solution that combines the most full-featured client software available with NetWare 4, the world's leading intranet platform. The new NetWare client software underscores Novell's commitment to provide a common set of advanced network services across all major client and server platforms, connecting organizations with more of the resources and information they need and giving them an enduring competitive edge.

The NetWare Client for Windows NT connects Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0 Workstation users to all NetWare services and information including Novell Directory Services™ (NDS™). Administrators can use the client software to centrally manage NetWare services directly from Windows NT workstations and to dynamically refresh client software across the network using Automatic Client Update (ACU) capabilities. The NT client software includes the Novell Application Launcher™ (NAL), which utilizes NDS to give users location-independent access to their applications and enables network managers to centralize application installation and administration. Support for remote access services (RAS) allows users to dial out to remote NetWare or NT servers, connecting them to networked information from any location.

"Novell is releasing our NetWare Client for Windows NT in the same timeframe as Microsoft's release of Windows NT 4.0 Workstation to ensure that customers of all major desktop operating systems gain the best possible access to NetWare network resources," said Denice Gibson, vice president and general manager of Novell's Information Access Division. "The NetWare Client for Windows NT offers full compatibility with Windows NT, while providing significant enhancements such as a single graphical login, integrated security and authentication and 32-bit administrative tools to ease network management and lower support costs."

"The NetWare Client for Windows NT enables me to incorporate all of my Windows NT desktops into the network and give them complete access to network resources," said Amyn Hassan, senior networking analyst at Houston's Methodist Hospital. "No other client software provides my users with a comparable level of access, while giving me centralized and secure control over my network and users."

The 32-bit NetWare Client for Windows NT is the newest member of Novell's family of 32-bit client software, which includes the recently-released NetWare Client 32 for DOS/Windows and the popular NetWare Client 32 for Windows 95. The NT client offers users significant benefits, including:

  • Full integration with Windows NT Workstation 3.51 and 4.0;
  • One-step graphical login with a single password to gain complete access to the workstation and all NetWare services;
  • Full login script execution including NDS support;
  • Access to NetWare services using TCP/IP;
  • Co-exists with Microsoft peer-to-peer service, allowing user access to resources and services on other NT servers and workstations;
  • Auto-reconnection to servers, printers and other network resources in cases of unplanned network connection disruptions; and
  • Dial-in and dial-out capabilities to NetWare and Windows NT servers through RAS to provide users with full access to remote network data.
The NetWare Client for Windows NT also provides administrators with significant benefits, enabling them to:
  • Lower the cost and complexity of client upgrades by dynamically installing and refreshing client software across the network with ACU capabilities;
  • Centrally manage user access to network applications through NAL;
  • Simplify administration through easy client setup, a fully configurable installation and the ability to centrally update clients; and
  • Easily create, modify and delete NDS objects such as users, applications and networked resources through the 32-bit NWAdmin™ utility.

Availability

The NetWare Client for Windows NT open beta with Novell Application Launcher will be available by August 14 to NetWare users electronically, free of charge, from NetWire on CompuServe (GO NWCLIENT) and the World Wide Web (http://support.novell.com). For additional information, customers can contact Novell at 1-800-NETWARE, or download information from NetWire on CompuServe or visit the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com.

Founded in 1983, Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL) is the world's leading provider of network software. The company offers a wide range of network solutions for distributed network, Internet, intranet and small-business markets. Novell education and technical support programs are the most comprehensive in the network computing industry. Information about Novell's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com.

Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks and NDS, Novell Application Launcher and Novell Directory Services are trademarks of Novell, Inc. NetWire is a registered service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other registered trademarks and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

Press Contacts:
Gayle Uchida
Novell, Inc.
(408) 577-6625
Internet: guchida@novell.com

Chimene White
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
(408) 764-0751
Internet: chimene@ccipr.com