Novell Makes PolyServe Clustering Software the First Offering of Novell's New Data Center Initiative

BOSTON, LinuxWorld Conference & Expo 2005, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) and PolyServe today announced the two companies have reached an agreement under which Novell will resell and support PolyServe Matrix Server(TM) clustering software worldwide. PolyServe Matrix Server is Novell's first offering as part of its recently announced data center initiative (see Novell's separate announcement today).

"PolyServe's track record of enabling successful Linux deployments and UNIX-to-Linux migrations as well as their excellent virtual storage software technology in Matrix Server are decisive competitive advantages for Novell," said David Patrick, Novell's general manager of Linux, Open Source Platforms and Services. "We're delighted to be able to provide this advanced technology to our customers."

Mike Stankey, CEO and chairman of PolyServe, said, "Novell's data center Linux initiative positions Novell as the unrivaled source for commercial-grade Linux in the enterprise data center. This is PolyServe's first key partnership of this magnitude with a major Linux supplier, and we're excited to play a key role with Novell in providing the single best Linux offering for corporate data centers."

Leveraging the common code base of its SUSE(R) LINUX Enterprise Server, Novell is broadening its data center solutions to complete its portfolio of enterprise computing solutions which currently include workstation, workgroup and high-performance computing offerings. The data center is home to an enterprise's most vital applications and databases, and Novell's data center strategy centers on providing the crucial technology components to support moving mission-critical line-of-business applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM) from UNIX to Linux.

"With Novell SUSE LINUX and PolyServe Matrix Server, we have a platform for deploying our enterprise applications with improved reliability and scalability at a fraction of the cost of our previous UNIX systems," said Jonathan Cattle, technology and planning director for Close Premium Finance. "This partnership is exciting to us. It reinforces the commitment of these two companies in helping us meet the demanding cost and availability requirements of our data center."

Under the terms of the agreement, Novell will offer PolyServe Matrix Server software and support to its customers worldwide as part of a comprehensive solution that encompasses the SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server and other products and services. Under the agreement, Novell customers using Matrix Server will be able to call Novell to resolve Linux and PolyServe support issues. The two companies will also cooperate on educating and training the Novell(R) direct sales team and business partners on PolyServe Matrix Server software. Customers already benefiting from joint Novell-PolyServe solution deployment include Westinghouse, Wells Fargo Bank, DuPont, U.S. Department of Defense, Burlington Coat Factory and Close Premium Finance.

Novell and PolyServe will also work with major infrastructure vendors, such as Dell, HP, IBM, Oracle and SAP, to ensure interoperability and cross-vendor support for Linux and key virtual storage solutions in the data center. These efforts will be focused on providing customers with a reliable Linux platform for deploying mission-critical applications. About PolyServe Matrix Server

PolyServe Matrix Server comprises a true symmetric cluster file system that enables scalable data sharing, high-availability services that increase system uptime, and cluster and storage management capabilities for managing servers and storage as one. Matrix Server delivers an unparalleled level of scalability, availability and manageability in support of database, file serving, e-mail and Web serving applications. About PolyServe

PolyServe, Inc. is a leading developer of shared data clustering software for Linux and Microsoft Windows mission-critical data centers. The company's products reduce the cost and complexity associated with traditional clustering approaches, while offering superior scalability, availability and manageability. In addition to its headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., PolyServe has a Microsoft development center in Redmond, Wash. It also has sales and support offices in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, London, Minneapolis, New York, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. For more information about PolyServe, visit http://www.polyserve.com, or call 877-476-5973. About Novell

Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell Nsure(R)), Web application development (Novell exteNd(TM)) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise(TM)), 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: PolyServe and Matrix Server are trademarks of PolyServe, Inc.

Novell, Nsure and Ximian are registered trademarks; exteNd and Nterprise are trademarks; 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.