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On August 8th, 2000, I attended Novell Reviewers Day; a press briefing in Provo, UT to see exactly what the company has planned for the future. As you will read, their vision sounds great, but Novell has always had a great vision. It's bringing that vision to fruition that usually kicks them in the behind. So, let's look at this vision through Novell's recent and future advances.

One Net Vision

eDirectory

By using DirXML as a translation layer between eDirecory (NDS) and other applications, the necessity to place integration modules on individual systems becomes unnecessary, and the end result is to communicate directly with the applications native API's. The following example should help to solidify this point:

An employee is hired, at which point HR makes requests for IT, Accounting, Security and Telecom to provide services for this new employee. Information Technology will have to enter this new user into the network system, create an email account, and perhaps grant access to other database systems. Accounting will have to place the employee into the payroll system; enroll them into the 401k plan, and enter pertinent information into an insurance enrolment system (if automated). Security will have to enter this employee into the premise system and assign badge numbers. Telecom will have to assign a phone number, and perhaps sign up for a Cell phone or pager.

With DirXML properly configured, a single HR entry into a system such as People Soft, can initiate updates to various systems that might take the following steps:

• Enter the employee into the network and database systems with a profile based on the department from which the request was entered.
• Create and email account.
• Create a security identity and send a message to the security admin to issue a badge.
• Create the employee in the Payroll system and complete forms for 401k and insurance.
• Create a telecom profile and send a message to the Telecom department to install a phone.
• Send a request for a Cell phone or pager.

OnDemand Services

Using this example, a user going to a particular company's web site, would be presented with a registration screen. Filling out the registration screen, a user might be required to enter a name and address, desired period of service, and perhaps pertinent credit card information. If a credit card were required, a secure request would be submitted to merchant service, which would in turn request authorization and then return a result back to the ASP. Upon approval, the user would then be permitted to use the service. In addition, the OnDemand system could also initiate a payment to publishing houses for MP3 royalties based on the music requested by individual users.

Modular Authentication Services

Single SignOn

Directory Enabled Net Infrastructure Model

Net Management Services provides for Web based management of applications such as BorderManager, GroupWise and NIMS, ZENworks, eDirectory and NetWare. Using SSL, these management tools decrease management efforts without decreasing security. As part of Net Management Services, Portal Collaborative Services provides users with a customizable home page that includes content such as email, Admin tools, and even stock quotes.

Net Content Services encompasses methodologies for bringing the content from various sources to one area to control negotiation and management over a web interface.

Net Directory Services

Technologies key to enabling these efforts include eDirectory, DirXML, iChain, OnDemand, SSO, NMAS and NetConsole. The focus on delivering these services will begin with major CSI's like E&Y, D&T, etc.

NetWare

• A move away from a non-dynamic file directory structure. The new structure proposed uses mount points similar to a Unix file system, where directory tree's can be created in NDS, and given to users on a policy basis, unrestricted by physically mounted volumes.
• More emphasis on being able to service applications at the server level.
• A greater emphasis on web access for file and print services as well as administration.

Novell Internet Messaging System

ZENworks

ZENworks for Servers is a new product that only recently began shipping. ZENworks for Servers takes over where ZENworks for Desktops leaves off, at the server. You have the capacity to make changes on one system and send them to all servers in your organization. Changes include text files, patches, and file distributions. In addition, you can use ZENworks for Servers to maintain your ZENworks for Desktops application directories.

With ZENworks for Servers you have the ability to keep synchronized copies of files on multiple servers without heavily impacting your WAN bandwidth. Consider the following WAN example.

ZENworks for Servers

Internet Caching System

Conclusion