Novell Seeks Sponsorship of a .DIR top-level domain

Provo, UT — October 11, 2000 — Novell, Inc has proposed the creation of a new top level domain on the Internet that would create significant new opportunities for eBusiness. The proposal, for a .dir domain, would allow the creation of a true Net "directory of directories," a rendezvous point on the Net for identity information that will allow companies to significantly improve management and security of the their customer, partner, and supplier relationships.

The proposal, submitted to ICANN, the organization responsible for top level domains on the Net, is based completely on open-standards, so any company using standards-based directory technology would benefit. The .dir initiative would solidify the role of the directory in eBusiness infrastructure. With Novell's NDS eDirectory the leading directory on the market today, this provides new opportunities for Novell as companies move to seize the benefits offered by this revolutionary new approach to eBusiness.