Novell Delivers Open Enterprise Server 2 with Proven Networking Services on Linux

Novell today announced that Novell® Open Enterprise Server 2 is now available to customers worldwide. Open Enterprise Server 2 features full 64-bit support of software services previously only found on NetWare®, along with storage management enhancements and NetWare virtualization. Novell Open Enterprise Server combines proven workgroup services from Novell with SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server, completing the Open Enterprise Server shift to providing workgroup services entirely on Linux*.

"The biggest challenge facing IT departments today is how to meet growing business needs with shrinking budgets," said Jeff Jaffe, executive vice president and chief technology officer for Novell. "To meet that challenge, Novell brings SUSE Linux Enterprise Server together with tightly integrated, proven networking services in Novell Open Enterprise Server. Of special note, our current NetWare customers can choose to run NetWare in para-virtualized mode on Linux to take full advantage of the latest hardware, while maintaining their current NetWare environment and preferences as they move to Linux. This Linux-based solution unites interoperability and high availability with proven services in an open, secure environment."

In addition to the virtualization of NetWare, Open Enterprise Server 2 features Dynamic Storage Technology, new technology from Novell that uses customer-defined policies to recognize active and stale data and automatically shifts it to the appropriate storage device as the data's status changes. Putting active data on high-end storage devices for quick access and inactive or stale data on tape or other low-cost devices enables better use of expensive storage hardware, streamlines backup of critical data, improves disaster preparedness and reduces administrative costs.

Customer Benefits from Open Enterprise Server 2

The U.S. Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) is headquarters for the worldwide Navy Exchange System that oversees 107 Navy Exchange facilities and its 344 stores worldwide, providing goods and services to active duty military, retirees, reservists and their families. After determining Linux would provide the right open platform for its business, NEXCOM wanted to migrate while maintaining the familiar benefits of NetWare. NEXCOM chose Open Enterprise Server 2 which brings all the networking, security and management services of NetWare onto SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

"With this system, we get the best of both worlds – all the benefits of NetWare with a Linux flavor," said Sean Zackman, field engineering manager at NEXCOM. "We are using Xen to virtualize many of our Microsoft Windows servers and are now moving everything we can to Linux."

Migrating to Open Enterprise Server has helped a small IT staff at NEXCOM manage a large and dispersed IT environment. Using Xen* virtualization, which is integrated into SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, NEXCOM has already consolidated 45 servers down to 10 and plans to consolidate another 40 more by the end of the year for savings of more than $200,000. Moving to a single server in each of its locations will also reduce IT maintenance and administration. NEXCOM is using Open Enterprise Server for file, print and the majority of its security services.