Novell eDirectory to ship with additional Linux support and enhanced security

• Novell eDirectory to ship this week with support for latest Red Hat and SUSE Linux distributions
• eDirectory to include advanced security features enabling smart card, token and biometric authentication and providing greater control and flexibility

Continuing its strategy of providing secure network services across multiple platforms, Novell today announced Red Hat* Enterprise Linux AS and SuSE* Linux Enterprise Server 8 support in Novell® eDirectory™, the most widely deployed directory service on the market. Along with the expanded Linux support and existing support for platforms including Novell NetWare®, Windows NT*/2000, Solaris* and AIX*, advanced authentication features have also been added to the next version of eDirectory.

"Running LDAP-Certified eDirectory on Linux brings greater security and management to the fastest-growing network operating system," said Chris Stone, Novell vice chairman - Office of the CEO. "Novell eDirectory was the first directory to support Linux, and we are continually enhancing it to provide compatibility with the latest and most popular distributions. With multimaster directory replication between Linux and other server OS platforms, eDirectory further establishes Linux's place in the enterprise. It is part of Novell's ongoing strategy to ensure customers can run proven Novell network services on the platform of their choice."

Novell eDirectory will also ship with built-in support for advanced authentication methods, such as biometrics, smart cards and tokens. With the inclusion of Novell Modular Authentication Service (NMAS), organizations will be able to require multiple authentication methods and set up a graded authentication, where a user's access rights can be altered based on the strength of authentication used. For example, an administrator could access some basic resources with a simple password but would need to use a digital certificate or a combination of methods for further access.

Mike Neuenschwander, senior analyst at Burton Group, said, "Novell is taking a mature, stable product and now refining it to strengthen its position in the marketplace. The added security features in eDirectory are easy to use while offering significant flexibility and administrator control."

Novell eDirectory is also part of Novell's recently announced Nterprise Linux Services, which gives customers file, print, messaging, directory and management services in an integrated package that runs and will be supported on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server distributions.

Pricing and Availability
Novell eDirectory 8.7.1 will be available Aug. 8 for $2 per user - with significant discounts for qualifying customers - through Novell Authorized Resellers^SM and solution providers or directly from Novell by calling (888) 321-4272. It is also included with any Novell product and select partner products. For more information, go to http://www.novell.com/edirectory. Third parties interested in redistributing eDirectory with their applications should visit http://developer.novell.com/edirectory.

About Novell
Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell Nsure), Web application development (Novell exteNd) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell Ngage^SM). Novell's vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.

Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks; eDirectory, exteNd, NMAS, Nsure and Nterprise are trademarks; and Ngage and Novell Authorized Reseller are service marks of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.