Novell Open Enterprise Server Provides Advanced Services on Customers' Choice of Platforms

-- Public beta software to be available for testing in early November BARCELONA, Spain, (BrainShare(R) Europe 2004), Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) today announced the upcoming public beta software availability of Novell(R) Open Enterprise Server, incorporating the best from leading commercial and open source networking platforms along with integrated management tools, identity-based services and an entire ecosystem of support backed by Novell to meet enterprise-class computing needs. Open Enterprise Server includes Novell's NetWare(R) and SUSE(R) LINUX Enterprise Server 9 operating systems with a common management interface, allowing customers to choose how they want to deploy the proven networking, communication, collaboration and application services of Open Enterprise Server.

"Novell Open Enterprise Server truly gives enterprise customers flexibility in the way they deploy and manage their networking infrastructures," said Jack Messman, Novell chairman and CEO. "Novell and Open Enterprise Server provide the enterprise with an unparalleled software stack on top of the platform and a complete ecosystem to back it up, making it a total solution to rival any enterprise platform on the market."

"With the latest version of NetWare contained in it, Open Enterprise Server includes everything customers have come to love and expect from NetWare, plus full support for Linux and open source Web and application services," Messman continued. "With the application and Web capabilities of SUSE LINUX, Open Enterprise Server provides an open and flexible alternative to Microsoft. Customers can now choose to deploy services on either NetWare or SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server or both, even running in a mixed environment with Windows servers."

Novell Open Enterprise Server is currently undergoing closed beta testing by the largest beta testing pool in Novell's history, following the largest- ever beta application response for a single Novell product. According to beta applicants planning to implement Linux* in the next 18 months, 48 percent are looking to Linux as a replacement for Windows* 2000/2003. As their primary reason for rolling out Linux, 33 percent cited stability, 30 percent said they want to take advantage of open source, and 25 percent listed cost savings as their top motivator.

Robin Small, network systems specialist for City of Fresno, Calif., said, "We are very excited about Novell Open Enterprise Server. It gives us the ability to implement open source alternatives while having our traditional NetWare-class file and print. Who else can do that? Where else do you have that kind of freedom?" Enterprise-class Networking Services

In addition to the inherent Linux application support and Novell "YES CERTIFIED(TM)" hardware solutions from third parties including Dell, Fujitsu Siemens, Gateway, HP, IBM, Maxtor and SGI that support SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 and thus enhance Open Enterprise Server, networking services that operate across the NetWare and Linux kernels in Open Enterprise Server include: -- Advanced file and print services with Novell iFolder(R), Novell Storage

Services(TM) (NSS), NetStorage and Novell iPrint.

-- Identity services with Novell eDirectory(TM).

-- High availability with Novell Clustering.

-- Installation and patching/update services with Novell ZENworks(R).

-- Common management and administration with Novell iManager. "The purchase of SUSE LINUX by Novell is an important milestone in expanding the choice of open source technologies to IT organizations," said George Weiss, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner Inc. "As Linux usage grows in the enterprise, these types of products can help accelerate the adoption of Linux through value-added commercial and open source software as part of an integrated software stack." Beta Software Availability

Novell Open Enterprise Server is due to begin public beta testing in early November, with pricing and general availability to be announced at a later date. For more information about Open Enterprise Server or to register to obtain the beta software, visit http://www.novell.com/oes . For more on the capabilities of the underlying operating systems, see http://www.novell.com/linux/sles and http://www.novell.com/netware .

Novell has been a trusted enterprise networking leader for more than 20 years and now provides an entire global ecosystem to support customers' enterprise Linux initiatives, including training, technical support, consulting services, certification and thousands of channel partners. Novell Open Enterprise Server is part of Novell Nterprise(TM), a set of offerings that improve communication, simplify and automate network management, and allow workers to be productive regardless of location, device or platform. About Novell

Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell Nsure(TM)), Web application development (Novell exteNd(TM)) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell Ngage(SM)). Active in the open source community with its Ximian(R) and SUSE LINUX brands, Novell provides a full range of Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. 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. NOTE: Novell, NetWare, Novell iFolder, Ximian and ZENworks are registered trademarks; eDirectory, exteNd, Novell Storage Services, Nsure, Nterprise and YES CERTIFIED are trademarks; BrainShare is a registered service mark; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE LINUX AG, a Novell business. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.