Press Release

Novell Canada, iSTAR internet and Eicon Technology to Deliver One-Stop Shopping Internet Connection

MARKHAM, Ontario -- February 4, 1997 -- Novell Canada Ltd., iSTAR internet inc. and Eicon Technology Corporation today announced an alliance designed to provide customers with a complete, end-to-end Internet/intranet solution.

This alliance furthers Novell's strategy to provide unparalleled Internet connectivity in its leading intranetworking technology. By combining their market-leading technologies, Novell, iSTAR and Eicon will provide a cost-effective connection to the Internet for businesses. The bundled solution includes:

  • IntranetWare, the leading network/ intranetworking operating system. IntranetWare incorporates all the leading networking features of NetWare such as Novell Directory Services (NDS), Symmetric Multi Processing (SMP), core file and print services combined with intranet and Internet capabilities. IntranetWare includes: a high-performance NetWare Web Server, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) services, the Internet-standard method for allowing users to download files on remote servers via the Internet, Netscape Navigator, an IPX-to-IP gateway to provide IPX users with access to all IP resources including World Wide Web pages, and integrated wide- area routing to connect geographically dispersed LANs to a corporate intranet or to the Internet.
  • Intelligent ISDN and WAN interface cards from Eicon Technology. Eicon interface cards and drivers install directly into the IntranetWare server and support remote connections over ISDN (BRI, multi-BRI and PRI), Frame Relay, X.25 or PPP leased lines, allowing users to extend their existing networks into a complete Internet/intranet service platform for all remote intranetworking requirements.
  • High-speed access and Internet connectivity services from iSTAR, Canada's leading supplier of Internet services. iSTAR operates its own advanced, geographically dispersed, robust high- speed national network. With multiple T-3 entry points into MCI and ANS in the U.S., and fully dynamic routing for redundancy and performance, iSTAR's fully-managed network provides solid, reliable Internet access to complete the LAN/WAN solution.
"This joint marketing effort represents a tremendous opportunity for customers to get on the Internet easily, quickly and affordably," said Don Chapman, vice president and general manager of Novell Canada Ltd. "With the launch of IntranetWare, Novell has firmly established itself in the Intranet market offering a full-service access platform solution. This alliance and joint venture allows us to move one step further into the Internet arena and provides our customers with a comprehensive Internet solution that leverages their existing network infrastructure and resources, and gives them the keys to the Internet highway."

"This alliance and joint product offering will allow us to accelerate the adoption of Internet and intranet services by Canadian businesses as we target Novell's huge installed customer base," said Craig Wallace, president and CEO, iSTAR internet inc. "This comprehensive, easy to install solution will give customers a competitive technological edge and allow the advancement of electronic business solutions."

"We are delighted to join Novell and iSTAR in providing this unique, comprehensive Internet solution," said Igor Krichevsky, Business Unit Manager for the Novell Server Business Unit at Eicon Technology. "Today's corporations are faced with diverse remote connectivity requirements, including access to intranets, the Internet and SNA host computers. This out-of- the-box solution will allow businesses to fulfill all of these requirements without incurring the additional training and installation costs associated with an external remote access device."

Availability

The solution will be available from Novell Gold and Platinum Channel partners across Canada the spring of 1997.

About Novell

Founded in 1983, Novell 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. Novell Canada is headquartered in Markham, Ontario with sales and service offices in Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver. Information about Novell's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com/canada.

About iSTAR

iSTAR is Canada's leading Internet solutions company. Headquartered in Ottawa, the company has regional offices in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. iSTAR provides customers with a broad range of networking expertise and Web-based products and services including iCOMMERCE and iNTRANET business solutions with high-speed connection to the Internet through a national backbone network. iSTAR shares trade on the Toronto Stock exchange (TSE.WWW). More information on iSTAR can be found on the Web at http://www.istar.ca.

About Eicon Technology

Eicon Technology is a worldwide provider of connectivity solutions for personal computers. The company develops, markets and supports hardware and software products for connecting PC-based servers, desktop PCs and notebook PCs to corporate networks, IBM host computers and the Internet. The products are sold in more than 70 countries through an extensive distribution network. Eicon Technology shares are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange and the Montreal Exchange under the symbol EIC.

Press Contacts:
For Novell:
Karin Scott
Strategic/Ampersand
(416) 961-5595
Internet: karin@stratamp.com

For iSTAR:
Stephen Rouse
Cohn and Wolfe
(416) 924-5700 ext 4046
Internet: stephen_rouse@cohnwolfe.com

For Eicon:
Chris Chilton
(514) 745-5500
Internet: chrisc@eicon.com