With mention of a 16% layoff at Novell, a new, successful vision seems unlikely. But according to Novell, this couldn't be further from the truth.
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
From cell phones to printers and from PDA's to Unix servers, Novell has jumped headfirst into an array of tightly integrated projects. Novell has termed the collective of these projects as "One Net Vision." One Net comprises all Novell product offerings, a majority of which will be discussed throughout this document.
eDirectory
Novell's vision of directory services (now called eDirectory) expands well beyond the simple concept of a multi-platform environment to encompass the integration of all computer based business functions. Most of what Novell has staked its future on involves extensive use of DirXML, an integrated directory derivative of Extensible Markup Language (XML), which is typically used by WEB programmers as an enhancement to HTML.
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.
Certainly, such automated processes go a long way to decrease costs for an organization. But to emphasize the point even further, these services work the other way as well. The release of an employee out of one system can initiate the removal of that employee from all systems, leaving much less room for omission, and thereby increasing security.
OnDemand Services
Novell enters the Application Service Provider (ASP) arena with the inception of Novell OnDemand Services. Basically, OnDemand allows a company to offer services and applications to communities of people on a fee basis. One such application of this service might be a company that wished to offer MP3 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
Novell Modular Authentication Services (NMAS) answers a call for more extensive security in the enterprise. With NMAS integration, a company can create graded authentication models. One model might grant full access to an NSS volume by requiring a Biometric as well as Token based login, whereas another model granting simple read access might only require password authentication.
Single SignOn
As companies become more security conscious, the need to have multiple logins and passwords increases. At a certain point, excessive logins create more frustration for end-users than they are willing to endure. As a result, often security is impaired when users write down passwords, or use weak passwords. Novell's answer to this problem is its Single SignOn (SSO) product. Completely integrated with NDS, logins and passwords are kept in what Novell has termed a Secret Store. These secret stores can be left in NDS or saved onto an individuals computer for remote usage. These Secret Stores are encrypted using Triple DES. Once authenticated, additional requests (for web resources, databases, etc.) are automatically entered by the client software. Requests for password changes can also be automated using this software.
The Directory Enabled Net Infrastructure Model (DENIM) defines 3 core service areas Novell has specified for managing enterprise resources over a web interface. These three services include Net Management Services, Net Content Services, and Net Directory Services.
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
Although services is one area Novell has stayed away from in the past, with the ever-increasing complexity of NDS and its related services, Novell has begun answering a demand for net services, customized for individual environments. Net Directory Services is intended to answer real business problems with eDirectory through channel distribution, ISV OEM, partnering, and consulting engagements.
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
While mention of a move away from NetWare has long been in the winds, Novell states emphatically that nothing could be further from the truth. Enhancements are underway and will include the following.
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
The Novell Internet Messaging System (NIMS) provides ISP type email services to an infinite number of web-based users. NIMS uses NDS eDirectory as its core database. Future enhancements to the NIMS service will provide GroupWise type capabilities to end-users. For a more detailed review of this product, see Ron Anderson's feature on 9/4/2000 entitled "No-Fail e-mail."
ZENworks
While ZENworks for Desktops has been pretty well known for some time, enhancements are always in progress. A couple of those enhancements being evaluated for future releases include a help desk application; support for Linux and Macintosh systems, and support for other network devices.
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
Under typical conditions, an update to Server A would result in two sets of updates; one to Server B, and one to Server C, greatly impacting the link between Server A and Server B (doubling the amount of traffic required). With NetWare Wan Manager, and ZENworks for Servers, direction can be given so that an update to Server A will impact Server B, which in turn will then send an update to Server C. This way, an individual WAN link is only impacted once.
Internet Caching System
Novell Internet Caching System (ICS) is becoming well known for its speed and management. Novell is currently delivering this product as an OEM application to vendors producing Internet Caching appliances.
Conclusion
I walked away from this review with two thoughts. First, Novell has a great vision, and they are extremely security conscious. And second, they are headed in too many directions and will have trouble fully supporting any one of them very well. Whether or not they will be able to capitalize on this vision without fragmenting, only time will tell.
Send your comments on this column to Kevin Novak at knovak@neohapsis.com.
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