Press Release

Novell Delivers On Net2000 Vision to Support Internet/Intranet Application Development

Novell Releases Alpha IntranetWare SDK for Java and Other Technology Enhancements to Developers

NetWorld+Interop, ATLANTA -- September 17, 1996 -- Novell, Inc. today announced it will deliver the alpha version of the Java Virtual Machine (VM) as part of the Novell® Early Access CD to be released at Networld+Interop. Ported as NetWare Loadable Modules™ (NLMs)™, the Java VM provides a full execution environment for Java applications on IntranetWare™. As announced at JavaOne in May, Novell will ship the full release Java VM with the IntranetWare SDK for the Java Platform in late Fall at the DeveloperNet™ '97 Conference. The Java VM represents the next major step in fulfilling Novell's developer initiative, code-named Net2000, and demonstrating the company's follow-through on commitments to provide developers with a well-supported and profitable development environment.

Java, along with a Visual Basic scripting interpreter (NetBasic) on NetWare®, Rapid Application Development (RAD) components for the desktop and client/server and C-level interfaces, make up the four development options provided by the Net2000 Initiative. Novell also delivered the NetBasic scripting engine and NetBasic for Internet components in July and is on track to deliver the RAD components next month. These development options and other developer services are available by subscribing to Novell's DeveloperNet Program.

Since its introduction in September 1995, Novell's Net2000 Initiative has evolved into a robust development environment and open framework to embrace and extend standard developer interfaces for Internet/intranet applications. Novell designed the Net2000 Initiative to ease developer access to network services through a wide range of developer interfaces and standard tools. This allows developers to more easily build directory-enabled applications, a new class of distributed network-aware applications that are optimized by Novell's advanced networking services, including Novell Directory Services™ (NDS™).

"Net2000 resolves, once and for all, the difficulties of interoperability and proprietary systems that have hampered developers in the past," said Gary Mueller, vice president and general manager of Novell's Developer Services Division. "By embracing industry standards and open interfaces, we are making it easier for developers to tap into the vast market of Novell users and develop solutions that leverage the unique market opportunities presented by the Internet/intranet."

Designed to make access to Novell's advanced network services easier through standard interfaces, Net2000 is focused on the following four developer segments:

Java Development on IntranetWare

Java represents a powerful programming paradigm in building distributed, network-aware applications that are platform-independent and tightly integrated with networking services. Novell will establish IntranetWare as more than a network operating system platform by providing a full Java development and execution environment on IntranetWare.

Scripting Development on NetWare

Net2000 enhances the NetWare development platform by providing a full Basic script interpreter (NetBasic) to ease building of custom applications and server-based logic. NetBasic is compatible with Microsoft Visual Basic scripts. Visual Basic developers and administrators can now access Novell's networking services through NetBasic to automate tasks, build utilities and provide value-added services.

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

By easing access to NetWare services through standard desktop interfaces such as Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) controls (OCX/ActiveX) and Java class libraries, Novell opens up new opportunities for administrators and developers using standard RAD authoring environments to build network-aware solutions. Through these components, administrators and developers can easily build applications using existing authoring tools, and access Novell's rich networking services such as NDS.

C/C++ Development

Developers wanting to access Novell's rich networking services through traditional C/C++ programming tools can gain full access to Novell's underlying system platform and client/server procedural interfaces. Through Novell's SDK, independent software vendors (ISV) and custom developers can access the functionality and power of low-level development interfaces in building high-performance solutions and services on NetWare.

Developer Benefits of Net2000

  • Full integration with the Novell Web Server™ 2.5 -- enables server-based applications to be accessible across the Internet/intranet through any Web browser;
  • Full integration with NetWare 4.11 and IntranetWare -- allows developers to write Basic scripts to perform any tasks and run them natively on NetWare 4.11, IntranetWare and all future versions of IntranetWare;
  • Conversion of Basic Scripts to NLMs -- allows for the conversion of interpretive scripts into system-level, high performance NLMs;
  • Net2000 Components on NetWare 4.11 -- allow for easier NLM development and offers full Basic scripting support;
  • NetBasic for IntranetWare -- provides a standard way in which Basic scripts can register and execute within IntranetWare;
  • NetBasic for Internet -- interfaces with the Novell Web Server common gateway interface (CGI) to allow Basic scripts and NLMs to be accessible and publishable through the Internet/intranet;
  • Remote- and source-level debugging -- provides easier ways to trap errors, enhance and fine tune operations and more reliable components. Rdebug brings to the IntranetWare the power and ease of source-level debugging for NLMs written in C or C++.
Additional information about the Net2000 Initiative is available on the Internet at http://developer.novell.com/net2000.

DeveloperNet '97 Conference

Novell's first annual DeveloperNet™ '97 conference will be held December 3-5, 1996, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Florida. The three-day conference, based on Novell's Net2000 Initiative, will open new doors to develop on IntranetWare and its network services, providing developers with the ability to build directory-enabled Internet/intranet applications faster and easier than ever before. Developers interested in registering for DeveloperNet '97 can call 1-800-488-2883. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.sbexpos.com/novell.

DeveloperNet Subscription

Developers can access Net2000 technologies by subscribing to the DeveloperNet Subscription Program. DeveloperNet is a comprehensive subscription for developers creating and optimizing applications that utilize Novell's networking services and enable client/network computing. DeveloperNet is the primary channel for the delivery of Novell development tools, information and technical support to software developers. Some of the tools include a choice of Novell's most current networking products and Novell SDK CD-ROM, Release 9. DeveloperNet subscribers also receive a subscription to Developer Notes, Novell's monthly technical journal with tips, code samples and general information for software developers working on network-integrated applications.

A base subscription to DeveloperNet costs U.S. $345 per year; an advanced subscription costs U.S. $995 per year. To subscribe to DeveloperNet by phone, call 1-800-REDWORD (1-801-861-5281) or subscribe through the World Wide Web at http://developer.novell.com. Developers can also initiate support incidents directly on the Web site, as well as access updated SDK information and calendar of developer events and releases.

About Novell

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 DeveloperNet, IntranetWare, NetWare Loadable Module, NLM, NetWare Web Server, Novell Directory Services and NDS are trademarks of Novell, Inc. All other registered trademarks and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

Press Contact:
Kim Nguyen
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
Phone: (408) 764-0776
Internet: kimn@ccipr.com