At least that seems to be the strategy behind Novell Embedded Systems Technology (NEST), a kind of network communications tool kit to make almost any electronic device into a NetWare node. It is operating system independent, user interface independent and intended soon to be protocol independent.

Consider Novell's deal with Microware Systems Corp., Des Moines, Iowa. Microware's been so successful in the interactive television set-top market that General Instruments--the leading set-top player--chose Microware's technology, despite an existing alliance with Microsoft and Intel. The technology, DAVID, is being used in trials and for development by about 20 vendors. DAVID has also become the reference technology for an interactive television RFP from Bell Atlantic, NYNEX and Pacific Telesis--a bid that may establish standards in this area by its sheer volume of four million set-tops. In May, Novell announced it was porting NEST to DAVID, but it remains unclear what role Novell will play in the telco contract. Novell officials say only that Novell has a great deal of involvement with that work.

Today, NEST supports IPX exclusively, but Darl McBride, vice president and general manager o f Novell's Extended Networks Division, says NEST will support TCP/IP this year (as the telco contract requires). It will be fully protocol independent sometime next year.

Novell also revealed that it is building a network broker for regional telco or cable offices. The broker's goal, says McBride, is "for the directory, along with the NEST client agent and a menuing interface, to provide a dynamic and easy mechanism for [TV or PC] users to find the services for which they have an interest." Such a broker--a sort of service gateway--would arbitrate and connect requests for services with service providers and include directory, security, management and billing services. Novell says it is working with a big pay-per-view player to create the broker, but declined to say more in May. Beta release is targeted for this year.

Novell is planning to provide a variety of interfaces to the broker that combine to form "a Virtual World Interface." Users will click on an icon to deliver such functions as pay-per-view television, a fax network, Internet access or home shopping, says Chris Sontag, director of consumer networking for Novell's Extended Networks Division. Novell's Corsair, for example, will be one of multiple browsers used for such services. It may employ the search API in NetWare Directory Services, with pointers to reach non-NetWare resources.

To add to NEST's momentum, Novell was expected to announce that a number of embedded operating systems vendors are becoming NEST resellers. Of course, AT&T NetWare Connect Services is also linked to NEST.

Novell also expects to see NEST-based boxes deployed by utilities to control load levels during peak power periods. Andover Controls was expected to begin shipping a NEST-enabled product that will let building systems lower energy use during peak periods to avoid bump-ups in annual charges. NEST is also being used with smart-card technology and to help deliver faxes to the appropriate location.

Christine Hudgins-Bonafield can be reached at cbonafield@nwc.com. Y ou can also e-mail Christine directly .