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"The COMDEX IntraNet -- Novell Connecting Points" Manages Over One Million Messages Per Day for 220,000 COMDEX Users with No System Downtime Massive Network Showcases Ability of Novell's Networking Solutions to Meet Integration and Scalability Needs of Enterprise Customers COMDEX, LAS VEGAS -- November 24, 1997 -- Novell, Inc. today announced that "The COMDEX IntraNet -- Novell Connecting Points," the world's largest live, single-directory network, managed over one million messages per day at COMDEX, for a total of 5.6 million messages by the end of the event, with no system downtime. The massive network, the result of a collaboration among Novell, Compaq Computer Corporation, Bay Networks and ZD COMDEX& FORUMS, enabled the show's 220,000 attendees to stay connected to each other and their offices, while allowing them to access a full schedule of event activities on the COMDEX Web site. "'The COMDEX IntraNet -- Novell Connecting Points' was a huge success and provided valuable benefits to all attendees," said John Slitz, Novell's senior vice president of marketing. "By Wednesday morning we had sent 3.7 million messages and that didn't even begin to exhaust the system. The system was capable of handling much more traffic. Together, in partnership with Compaq, Bay Networks and ZD COMDEX& FORUMS, we have shown that it is possible to build a massive, reliable communications system for a show as large as a small city." Results Surpass Expectations "The COMDEX IntraNet -- Novell Connecting Points" provided users with a hands-on example of the performance, integration, scalability and reliability of solutions from Novell and its partners. Each of the system's six core Compaq Proliant servers running Novell applications supported 45,000 users. Through GroupWise®, Novell's advanced collaboration system, show organizers were able to send daily e- mail messages to the show's 220,000 attendees simultaneously, providing them with information on keynote sessions, instructions for using the system remote dial-in features and daily updates on "The COMDEX IntraNet -- Novell Connecting Points" throughout the show. These daily messages were processed quickly and efficiently, reaching the mass of attendees within 20 minutes. Novell's BorderManager family of products, which managed attendees' access to the Internet, also demonstrated powerful performance by processing an average of 1.5 million http server requests and transmitting approximately six gigabytes of data per day. "The COMDEX IntraNet -- Novell Connecting Points" was managed and administered from a central Network Operating Center in the main lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. It allowed all registered COMDEX attendees to send and retrieve e-mail, schedule appointments and access the Internet from four central locations on the show floor or from their hotel rooms through a browser during the November 17-21 show. Users were invited to register to win Compaq laptop computers and a Porsche Boxster -- Bill Pool of CSR Corporation in Las Vegas, Nevada was the winner of the sports car. Users Praise the System The 300 workstations, available to attendees during show hours, were in use nearly every minute the show was open. Users were invited to E-mail their feedback on all aspects of the show to event organizers and their messages show they found "The COMDEX IntraNet -- Novell Connecting Points" useful and convenient. Comments from users included: "Thank you for providing this service and coming up with what looks to be a killer application," and "Man, I want to thank you guys for the WONDERFUL service you are providing. This is the best advertising you could do." "The system was an effective communication tool at all levels for attendees -- from scheduling business meetings and communicating with the office to contacting friends for social gatherings," said Bill Sell, show director for COMDEX. "Shortly after one attendee lost his Palm Pilot he got an E-mail from the person who found it -- the individual had looked him up in the GroupWise address book. They scheduled an appointment and the Palm Pilot was returned that day." Powerful Products Working Together "The COMDEX IntraNet -- Novell Connecting Points" featured powerful, flexible Novell networking solutions:
This sophisticated combination of software was powered by Compaq workstations and servers, with Bay Networks supplying reliable hubs and switches to ensure connection 24 hours a day. All of the Novell and partner products featured in "The COMDEX IntraNet -- Novell Connecting Points" are currently shipping. 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. About ZD COMDEX& FORUMS COMDEX/Fall '97, the world's largest and most influential IT event, attracted over 220,000 resellers and corporate decision makers to view more than 2,100 exhibiting companies and participate in over 100 conferences. During the past two years, COMDEX has grown from seven events in four countries to 40 events in 16 countries, serving more than 6,500 IT exhibitors and 1.5 million IT professional attendees worldwide. Be sure to visit COMDEX Online at http://www.comdex.com. Novell and GroupWise are registered trademarks. ManageWise, NDS, Novell Directory Services and IntranetWare are trademarks of Novell, Inc. All other registered trademarks and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
Media Contacts:
Julie Geer-Brown
Sue Lonergan |
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