Novell Replication Services 1.2 Improves Distribution of Network and Internet Information

Enhanced Product Yields Efficient Network Performance and Simplifies Administration of Global Data

PROVO, UT -- November 24, 1997 -- Novell, Inc. today announced availability of Novell Replication Services™ (NRS) 1.2, a fully scalable software solution for replicating, distributing and synchronizing information across wide area networks and corporate intranets. Available immediately, the enhanced product improves user access time to information and optimizes network performance by moving network- and Web-based information closer to users regardless of geographic location. NRS 1.2 greatly simplifies administrative tasks related to replication of data through tight integration with Novell Directory Services™ (NDS™), allowing administrators to centrally manage and secure replica servers on the network.

As businesses grow, they implement global networks to link resources, applications and files housed in several branch offices. However, accessing information stored in London from an office in Los Angeles, can be highly inefficient due to slow and expensive WAN connections. NRS 1.2 solves this problem by enabling administrators to store several copies of the same information on local servers. Regularly scheduled synchronization (every 1 to 15 minutes) allows all branch servers to look the same even when frequent changes are made to the data, ensuring users receive up-to-date information at all times.

"NRS 1.2 delivers the most powerful and reliable way to replicate data throughout an enterprise," said Coleman Barney, director of marketing for the Platform Services Group at Novell. "Unlike competitive products, NRS 1.2 guarantees protection of file updates in the event of server or network failures and provides true bi-directional replication of data. Such functions are essential for providing accurate and timely information to end users."

Enhancements Optimize Performance, Lower Replication Costs

NRS 1.2 delivers the following enhancements and product benefits to customers managing information systems that include branch offices:

• Improved network performance -- Unlike competitive products, when NRS 1.2 replicates data, it does not have to compare content on both master and replica servers to identify changes. This means that the time required to synchronize 100 changes on a system with one thousand replicated files is no more than on a system housing one million replicated files. NRS 1.2 also conducts bi-directional replication, ensuring receipt of up-to-date information for users, regardless of their geographic location or the number of people editing a document. Copies of the same file can be stored locally, so that users can avoid slow WAN connections.
• Off-peak scheduling -- NRS 1.2 allows administrators to schedule replication and synchronization to take place automatically and during off-peak hours, when WAN connections are at the lowest rate. There is generally less network traffic at this time, which expedites the process and reduces the time spent on expensive WAN links.
• Simplified NT administration -- The NetWare Administrator snap-in for Windows NT is now automatically installed as standard, further simplifying administration for network managers.

NRS and NDS Combine to Ease Replication Process

NRS 1.2 reduces the cost of network ownership by eliminating most of the time required to replicate data. Through an automated process, NRS supports one- and two-way synchronization of files and directories on IntranetWare™ servers. Administration is provided by a "snap-in" to Novell's standard administration utility, NWAdmin™, so that replication and synchronization can be managed from any network client. NRS is tightly integrated with NDS, allowing administrators to centrally manage and secure replica servers on the network, as well as data flowing to branch locations. The enhanced product allows administrators to selectively replicate entire volumes or parts of volumes from one server to any number of other servers in the same NDS tree. Types of data that can be replicated include documents, applications, graphic images, audio clips, video clips and Web server content.

"Our company has several separate branches, making manual replication of network and Web-based data a full-time job" said Edward Segraves, network administrator for Hewitt Associates. "With NRS, it's automatic, allowing me to provide up-to-date information to users consistently and efficiently, while saving significant costs associated with data replication. Novell's solution does all the work, enabling me to focus on more critical network issues."

Pricing and Availability

NRS 1.2 is available immediately through authorized Novell resellers for $995.00 per server. Upgrades for customers currently using NRS 1.1 are available for $195.00. For additional information about NRS, customers can contact Novell at 1-800-638-9273 or download information from the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com/nrs.

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, as well as the network computing industry's most comprehensive education and technical support programs. Information about Novell and its complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com.

Novell is a registered trademark and IntranetWare, NDS, Novell Directory Services, Novell Replication Services and NWAdmin are trademarks of Novell, Inc. All other registered trademarks and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

Press Contacts:
Jason Werner
Novell, Inc.
Phone: (801) 861-4009
Internet: jwerner@novell.com

Nan Stillinger
Cunningham Communication, Inc.
Phone: (650) 858-3772
Internet: nstillinger@ccipr.com