Press Release

Novell Ships High Availability Server for NetWare, Increasing Overall Reliability of Customer Networks

Networking Leader Novell Delivers on Promise for Active Server Clustering, Outlines Roadmap for Upcoming High-Availability Solutions

PROVO, Utah — September 29, 1998 — As part of an on-going commitment to help customers build reliable, intelligent business networks, Novell, Inc. today announced worldwide shipment of the Novell High Availability Server for NetWare® (NHAS) will begin September 30. Previously code-named Orion Phase I, NHAS is a clustering solution that provides continuous access to network- based resources, simplifies management of network data and minimizes network downtime. This highly anticipated software was designed to help customers reduce the risk and costs of unplanned downtime due to hardware or software failures. Used in conjunction with NetWare 4.11, Novell's industry-leading, directory-enabled server operating system, this clustering technology provides customers with a powerful solution for protecting mission-critical network data.

In addition to shipping NHAS, Novell unveiled future delivery plans for the product. A version compatible with NetWare 5, Novell's powerful platform for conducting Internet-enabled business, is due in the first half of 1999; the second version of NHAS, which will enable support for multi-node clusters and improved manageability through Novell Directory Services® (NDS™), is slated for delivery in the second half of 1999.

"Delivery of the Novell High Availability Server for NetWare addresses our customers' immediate need for a high-powered, reliable failover solution that protects mission-critical network data," said Stewart Nelson, senior vice president, Novell Product Group. "In addition, Novell is providing customers with a foundation that allows clustering solutions to grow as business needs dictate. Moving forward, Novell will be focusing on future delivery plans for the product and is committed to meeting the evolving high-availability and clustering needs of our customers."

Novell Delivers Network Protection in First Clustering Solution

NHAS represents a significant step toward dramatically reducing the risk of network failure and costs associated with downtime in businesses of all sizes. The new product offers customers the following clustering benefits:

  • Automatic failover protection — In the event of hardware or software failure on one server, the remaining server seamlessly takes over to maintain availability of network data and resources anytime, anywhere. This includes failover for applications in use at the time of the crash, which automatically restart on the backup server.

  • Active servers — Users can now cluster two active NetWare 4.11 servers on the network, which provide failover support for each other. The result is a significant hardware cost savings, as users no longer have to purchase a separate server for the sole purpose of failover.

  • Shared storage — Support for shared storage devices allows customers to reduce overall management costs by centralizing administration and back-up. Shared storage also enables efficient use of storage space by eliminating the need to maintain duplicate files on different servers.
"With nearly 31,000 students and approximately 3,000 additional faculty depending on access to network- based library information, such as academic research records, we place a very high value on continuous network uptime," said Brett Hill, network administrator for Brigham Young University Library. "Our current system fails frequently enough so that a network administrator must be present all 17 hours the library is open each day. The Novell High Availability Server will solve this problem by ensuring uptime through failover capabilities. In the end, this will save BYU significant administrative costs associated with network management time."

Product Roadmap

Novell High Availability Server for NetWare is the foundation for a complete, reliable clustering solution. It allows Novell's NetWare 4.11 customers who wish to connect two active servers in a cluster to begin clustering their networks today. A NetWare 5 version of NHAS is being developed to meet the needs of those customers who are rapidly adopting NetWare 5 and the advanced features it offers such as pure IP and industry-leading directory services. The NetWare 5 version will have the same functionality as the current shipping version, but will leverage the unique features which set NetWare 5 apart from other server operating systems, such as the file system enhancements enabled by Novell Storage Systems (NSS). Other Novell high-availability products, such as StandbyServer, StandbyServer Many-to-One and SnapShotServer will be available for NetWare 5 in the same timeframe. Novell is working aggressively towards a multi-node clustering solution for NetWare 5, with planned delivery in the second half of 1999.

Novell Partners Support NHAS

Novell worked with Vinca Corp. on the development of this product. The two companies share a common commitment to providing mutual customers with superior protection of mission-critical information.

"As a long-time development partner of Novell, Vinca is very excited about the delivery of Novell's High Availability Server, which includes Vinca's failover technology. Vinca is confident this product will provide our mutual customers with the industry's leading high availability solution," said Alan Rudd, president and CEO for Vinca, Corp. "This combination of leading networking and failover technologies will give customers an unparalleled degree of confidence in the reliability of their network."

Novell also worked with the industry's leading hardware vendors to provide the most efficient and reliable clustering solution to NetWare customers. Partners contributing to the development of NHAS include Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel and Siemens-Nixdorf.

"We are pleased to partner with Novell in the clustering arena and look forward to delivering our customers a very powerful high-availability solution that includes Novell's clustering technology," said Scott Florence, worldwide alliance marketing manager for IBM. "We stand firmly behind Novell's clustering initiative and as such, have certified IB's disk subsystems and IBM's PC and Netfinity servers, so our NetWare customers can take advantage of Novell's High Availability Server. We look forward to continuing a strong working relationship that will result in the highest quality clustering solution for our customers."

Pricing and Availability

NHAS, with support for two servers, will be available September 30 for customers worldwide. The product can be purchased through Novell Authorized Resellers for $3,895 per pair of servers. Customers with questions about NHAS should call their reseller or visit Novell's Web site at http://www.novell.com/products/clusters.

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, 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 and NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holder.

Press Contacts:
Shannon Harmon Shupe
Novell, Inc.
Phone: (801) 228-5126
Internet: smharmon@novell.com

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