Leading the pack was the announcement of open beta testing for Novell Open Enterprise Server 9, which runs both the company's NetWare operating system and SuSE Linux. Applications can be deployed on NetWare or SuSE Linux Enterprise Server or both, and can run in a mixed environment with Windows servers.
Novell acquired SuSE Linux in January 2004.
Announced upgrades included ZENworks 6.6 Linux Management, now integrated with SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9, which provides control over the scheduling of Linux software updates. It also aids software installation by automatically analyzing an application's Linux package dependency and helping with conflict resolution. ZENworks Linux Management, part of the cross-platform ZENworks suite, provides both a Web-based console and a command-line interface. Administrators can use it to centrally configure and distribute software, manage users and organize groups of machines for installations and updates. Novell said that the management tool also supports and manages Red Hat Linux.
In the identity management area, two products extend Novell's Nsure Identity Manager. First, the Designer for Nsure Identity Manager 2 simplifies the configuration, design and management of identity infrastructures. The tool has a drag-and-drop interface that administrators can use to define models, policies and rules without writing code.
Second, the Enhanced Provisioning Module lets end users request access to systems, applications or equipment. Access rights can be given to users based on their organizational roles. The module's portlets can sort and display directory information in various ways and allow drag-and-drop movement and reassignment of employees to teams and responsibilities.
Also in the identity-management arena are Novell Virtual Directory Services and eDirectory 8.8. Virtual Directory Services is a component that the enterprise developer can incorporate into an application to include a local identity store that integrates with existing corporate directories. Such an application can store specific directory data locally but still make policy and authorization decisions using identities stored in Microsoft Active Directory, Sun Java System Directory Server, Novell eDirectory and other enterprise directories.
Novell eDirectory 8.8 was upgraded for performance and several other small enhancements.
Most of the announced products are in beta testing and do not have firm availability dates; SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 managed by ZENworks Linux Management is available on a subscription bases starting at $416 per system. ZENworks Linux Management is also available on a standalone basis at $130 per user or system.
