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Linux's Recent One-Two Punch: Page 2 of 3

Novell also received early backing from the services organizations of Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Computer Associates to deploy the network services to enterprise customers. It remains unclear how the SUSE acquisition will affect Novell's product plans in the SMB space, though.

While sources say Novell likely will bundle Nterprise Services with SUSE's Linux distribution, SUSE in October began shipping an integrated Linux server for SMBs called SUSE Linux Standard Server 8 that includes many components similar to Nterprise Services, including Internet access, e-mail, file and print services.

Novell is expected to continue to support SUSE's products at least initially, one SUSE executive said. The merger is expected to be completed in January.

Others wonder how long Nterprise Services will support Red Hat Linux, given the pending merger. The services are currently supported on both the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Novell would not comment while the SUSE acquisition remains in progress, a spokesman said.