Novell main offering is the Netware family of network operating system products. This includes the older Netware version 3.x server software as well as Netware version 4.x (Netware 4.11 is also know as intraNetware).

We have committed to supporting Netware, since Netware currently offers the best File and Print server capabilities on the market. An NT server only make sense in small network. In mid-sized or enterprize sized networks a combination of Netware and NT is the better solution.

The Advantages are

• Very Secure. The access control and auditing capabilities are considered very good.
• Very Reliable. Most production Netware servers can easily run for 6 - 12 months without needing to be rebooted.
• Netware 4.X with NDS directory services provides a very scalable network solution.
• Very good integration with DOS, Windows XX, Macintosh OS, as well as Unix workstations.

The disadvantages are

• Very limited as an Application Server. However, Novell is continuing to add this capability through the intraNetware product line.
• The console is only usable for experts. However this is really not a problem, since one doesn't often have to access the console (The server keeps going and going and going.... ). But the central administration software (Netware Administrator) has much more functionality and usability.

Frequently asked Questions about Novell

• Novell is Dead. The future belongs to NT
  This isn't true. In networking technology Microsoft's Windows NT is about 5 years behind. Novell introduced directory services in Netware 4.0. Microsoft, on the other hand, announced at the end of 1997 that NT 5.0 would include directory services capabilities. (Which Microsoft will actually deliver when ?)
  Windows NT has had many security problems many of which are much like problems Netware 2.2 had 8 years ago...
• NT is easily to administer than Novell since it has the same user interface.
  Under NT there is an application for user administration, another one for printer administration, another one for file administration, and another one for this and another one for that.
  Under Novell there is a single windows based application for the administration of all resources of the network, all with a common look-and-feel.
• Windows NT has C2 security certification, Netware does not
  It is true that NT workstation as well as NT server has the C2 certificate BUT only if they are used without a network interface card or modem. (What use is a server that is C2 certified if you can integrate it into a network ?)
  Only NT 3.51 with Service Pack 3 is C2 certified. NT 4.0 is not.
  Novell intraNetware currently in the process of certification testing for the B2 security certification. (Which is valid with a NIC installed)