Do-No-Evil Saturday - Part III: Two Weeks of (Mostly) Proprietary Novell Technology
Dr. Roy Schestowitz
2008-10-04 22:16:45 UTC
Modified: 2008-10-04 22:18:24 UTC
There are heaps of articles that we have not yet touched on. They were accumulated for just over two weeks. Once again, we haven't sufficient time to comment on them all, so here is just an organised list with a few remarks.
SCO
Groklaw was the only apparent site that had tracked the SCO/Novell saga in court. Here are the coverages:
Darl testifies the Norris deal is still possible. He was heading for the Middle East for discussions. The whole thing is 108 pages. I see Mr. Arthur Spector does quite a bit of dancing. He seems to have argued that SCO did Red Hat a favor by threatening them. Any publicity, he says, is good. And UNIX is humming along, he points out. This is amazing! The company that has no shame has found its perfect representation. More cowbell, Mr. Spector. We need more cowbell.
Novell has filed its Opposition to SCO's Motions for Voluntary Dismissal of Stayed Claims, Entry of Final Judgment, and Certification and Entry of Partial Final Judgment [PDF]. There's also a declaration by David Melaugh, with exhibits, both PDFs.
Here, as text, are Novell's Opposition to SCO's Motions for Voluntary Dismissal of Stayed Claims, Entry of Final Judgment, and Certification and Entry of Partial Final Judgment [PDF], as well as the Declaration of David E. Melaugh [PDF], in support.
SCO Motion that this is responding to is here. We have Steve Martin to thank for doing the work for us.
Suojanen was retained by Ali Beydoun and Edwin Craig Sheldon to represent them in a claim against Novell Inc., alleging it had failed to pay them amounts due under a contract for the sale of certain software.
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The Novell case was tried to a jury in 2006, and a judgment entered in favor of Suojanen’s clients and co-plaintiffs which Suojanen estimated to be in excess of $19 million, plus over $10 million in prejudgment interest and attorney fees.
Although Novell probably has the worst record in our industry of destroying merger partners - from Cambridge Partners to Platespin what they touch is soon gone or, like SuSe, demoted from leading edge to trailing edge - the general trend in IT suggests that larger mergers and acquisitions other than those driven by the technology developers generally precede financial and market losses.
Novell upgraded to Buy at Cross Research . Cross Research upgrades NOVL to Buy from Hold and maintains their $7.50 price target. The firm believes the recent stock weakness creates an attractive entry point. Novell last traded at these levels five years ago and they think the company is in a better position today.
Networking
The following is mostly Netware or 'legacy' stuff.
The LANDesk Management Suite is much more than just an auditing tool. It is a comprehensive group of tools for generally managing a corporate network which might include large numbers of clients.
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This is a good idea, because some of these prerequisites might not necessarily be installed in typical setups, although it would have been nice to also provide the freely available updates on the installation disks. Both Novell and Microsoft server environments are supported.
Some might cite Novell and NetWare as an illustrative example for Sun to follow. I don't think Sun's Solaris is yet analogous to NetWare, though of course there's always the chance of Solaris becoming a performance legend rather than a performance leader. In the meantime, Sun is probably right to keep forging ahead with its restructuring plan around open source, one that is at times distracting from industry open-source standards, but one that also keeps the open-source product market competitive.
The above comes from Matt Asay, a former Novell employee.
Mark Gibbs from NetworkWorld has history at Novell too, just like Asay. He wrote:
Last week I discussed Google’s Chrome Web browser and I got some great feedback and some less so. On the great side was an old colleague from Novell who said it was "by far the most interesting and informed … commentary I have read on Chrome." (I swear I didn’t pay for that.)
This kind of unified reporting from UTMs can give a broad view of overall network health and activity, says Grant Nickle, the IT director for Underwriters Safety and Claims in Louisville, Ken., which uses an Astaro Security Gateway UTM. It replaces two devices -- a Cisco PIX firewall and a Novell Border Manager proxy -- and provides functionality the company lacked before, namely intrusion protection, gateway antivirus and SSL VPN.
You have, no doubt, heard about Active Directory. Active Directory is Microsoft's answer to Novell Directory Service. Active Directory is a big repository of objects. It contains objects such as users, groups, shared printer information and network objects. Active Directory was first introduced in Windows 2000.
Unitrends' new platform also provides enhanced integration and support for Novell users. The new platform supports new Novell Netware protection capabilities, providing added protection of Netware physical and virtual environments. Rapid Recovery 4.0 also provides fully integrated support and functionality for Novell GroupWise and eDirectory servers.
Of the questions that I get, probably the most common one is something like "is it any good?" or, more often the more direct "is it better than VMware ESX Server?" The short answer (to the second question) is "no;" a mildly longer answer would be "not yet, but the next version might be." The whole virtual manager wars remind me of the file server wars of the ‘80s and early ‘90s, when Microsoft struggled (and eventually succeeded) to topple Novell Netware from its premier place among file and print server software. The first attempt, the IBM PC LAN Support Program, was truly laughable—sort of like Virtual PC, Microsoft's first shot at VMware.
Extending its endpoint security and management solutions to include network access enforcement and compliance, Novell today announced the availability of Novell(R) ZENworks(R) Network Access Control. This newest member of the ZENworks product line ensures security in heterogeneous network environments by using policies to grant or deny access to the network based on tests which determine if a device meets defined security criteria from patches to host-based firewalls.
With a headline identical to that of the press release, the following distinct item was published too:
Novell ZENworks Network Access Control is the newest member of the ZENworks product line ensures security in heterogeneous network environments by using policies to grant or deny access to the network based on tests which determine if a device meets defined security criteria from patches to host-based firewalls.
StillSecure€®, provider of secure network infrastructure solutions, today announced a strategic relationship with Novell to provide a re-branded version of the StillSecure Safe Access€® network access control solution (NAC) as part of the Novell ZENworks€® systems management family. Named "Best Endpoint Security Solution" in the 2008 SC Magazine Readers Trust Awards, Safe Access has also been recently recognized as "Best Endpoint Security Product of the Year" in the 2007 TechWorld Awards, and "Editor's Choice" by Windows IT Pro.
Shane wrote about a NAC issue last week. Here is that article he cited:
Novell's approach to NAC comes as the market for such solutions is maturing, with offerings from Microsoft, Cisco and Juniper, among others, already in the market.
Novell is getting into network access control via an OEM agreement with StillSecure that initially provides a stand-alone product but also includes plans to ensure that software works well with Novell’s ZENworks configuration management.
The odd thing about it at first blush is that Novell is selling all the other stuff it used to sell and now a separate NAC platform. There is no integration with its ZENworks configuration management platform. If there were, that would be quite an added value over the configuration management and NAC platforms separately.
*The report covers the following IT systems management vendors: BMC, CA, EMC, Fujitsu, HP, IBM and Microsoft, Novell and Symantec.
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Novell€´s ZENWorks offering has many key strengths that can serve enterprises with specific requirements well. Any enterprise with an environment that includes mixed virtualized and non-virtualized environments will benefit greatly from Novell€´s solution, so will enterprises that require extensive Linux management.
Extending its endpoint security and management solutions to include network access enforcement and compliance, Novell announced the availability of Novell ZENworks Network Access Control. This newest member of the ZENworks product line ensures security in heterogeneous network environments by using policies to grant or deny access to the network based on tests which determine if a device meets defined security criteria from patches to host-based firewalls. Without slowing down employee productivity, this ZENworks solution helps organisations reduce the risks associated with network access control and meet regulatory requirements such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard as well as internal security policies.
Novell has partnered with thin-client computing provider Wyse Technology to jointly develop a Linux operating system for desktop and mobile thin-client devices.
Novell and Wyse Technologies, one of the most important thin computing providers, announced a couple of days ago their partnership to deliver Wyse Enhanced SUSE Linux Enterprise, the newest Linux OS specially designed for thin computing. This represents a very opportune mix between, on one side, SUSE Linux Enterprise's security and flexibility, and Wyse's considerable experience in the field of thin computing.
Is application virtualization as popular and widespread as desktop or server virtualization? No. But the technology is starting to catch on and fill niche markets.
"Xenocoded" applications require no setup, configuration, clients, or device drivers, are isolated from external DLL and dependency conflicts, and run properly on Windows Vista and locked-down desktops. Xenocode-virtualized applications can be easily deployed on USB devices, corporate intranets, the Internet, or existing desktop management infrastructure software such as Novell ZENworks, Microsoft SMS, LANDesk Management Suite, and BMC Configuration Management.
PlateSpin, now part of Novell, received some awards:
This year's four Leadership Awards recipients are: PlateSpin (recently acquired by Novell), a developer of data center management solutions; RuggedCom Inc., which makes rugged communications equipment; Evertz Technologies Limited, a developer of HDTV and IPTV equipment; and Westport Innovations Inc., an engine developer and manufacturer.
PlateSpin, Ltd. continues to hold its rank at No. 2, also received the CVCA 2008 'Deal of the Year' Award this week after its acquisition by Novell, Inc.
PlateSpin ULC, a Novell(R) company, today announced it has been awarded a 2008 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Leadership Award. The Leadership Award recognizes companies who demonstrate technological leadership in four industry sub-categories: emerging technologies, hardware/semiconductor, software and telecommunications.
VentureLink is pleased to announce that at the CVCA's Annual General Dinner in Toronto on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, PlateSpin Ltd., won the 2008 'Deal of the Year' Award.
Five years after its inception, PlateSpin was acquired by Novell, Inc. for USD $205 million. "For VentureLink, the sale of PlateSpin, which provides solutions for workload relocation, protection and provisioning was a great success story," says Jim Whitaker, Managing Partner, VentureLink Funds.
The following article about virtualisation involves Novell:
Freelancer Rick Vanover did a yeoman's job reviewing three virtualization planning products, giving the pros and cons of each. Included in his product roundup are CiRBA's Data Center Intelligence, Novell's PowerRecon, and VMware's Capacity Planner.
Novell PowerRecon
In March 2008, PlateSpin Ltd. became part of Novell Inc., bringing an established player into the virtualization space under the Novell umbrella.
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VMware Capacity Planner
VMware Capacity Planner is significantly different than both CiRBA's and Novell's products in that it exists for one -- and only one -- environment: VMware. It's also different in that it's a hosted-app service -- you can't do it yourself. VMware installs a number of components on your network that collect and manage data. That data is sent back to VMware and stored in the "Information Warehouse," as VMware calls it, for number crunching, sorting and analysis.
If you are running Windows Server 2008, Hyper-V seems like a logical choice. Similarly, if you are running SUSE Linux you will probably be best off with Xen. On the other hand, if you are a Sun shop, xVM is the way to go.
As for what its customers are actually virtualizing these days using the AppLogic tool: Customers can use any Linux with a 2.6 kernel, but CentOS, Fedora, Ubuntu, and Debian are the most popular Linuxes used by AppLogic users, with a smattering of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. So far, no one has deployed on Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.
Education
The following was mentioned many times before. Although the solution was noted in prior posts, this one is somewhat new:
The idea is being pitched at schools, and coupled with several partners they are offering high-powered “Multiplier” systems to nonprofit schools and universities. The “Multiplier” systems rely on virtualization to operate multiple operating systems, each of which is controlled by a separate set of keyboard, mice and monitors – all hooked in via USB. Each system can support up to 10 terminals, with the companies involved pitching it as ideal for computer labs.
GWAVA, Novell's largest technology partner for GroupWise, has announced its participation in a 16 city road show to showcase new fully integrated mobility solutions for Novell GroupWise, currently in beta, along with the powerful functionality of Novell Teaming + Collaboration. At each stop of the road show, which begins September 23, IT administrators will learn about the wide range of functionality and tools for Novell collaboration solutions, including the Apple iPhone and other mobility features, that offer users the most productive and collaborative work environment available today.
Our GroupWise product, known for more than 20 years as the most secure and reliable e-mail and calendaring solution on the market, has a new release in open beta.
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We all develop ruts in our work–things we do by force of habit even if they’re less-than-effective ways to get the job done.
With more than 25 million copies distributed in 17 languages, XTNDConnect PC is the premier software solution for synchronizing contacts, calendars, tasks, e-mail, and notes between mobile devices, including those running Windows Mobile, Symbian, and popular PC applications, such as Microsoft Outlook/Express, Vista, Lotus Notes/Organizer, Novell GroupWise, and Google.
It enables any of these to synchronise with common PIM applications, such as Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, Lotus Notes and Lotus Organiser, and Novell GroupWise, the firm said.
Messaging Architects, the experts in email lifecycle management and compliance, today announced the successful implementation of its M+Guardian email firewall across Novell's enterprise worldwide.
Montreal, Canada (PRWEB) September 30, 2008 -- Messaging Architects, the experts in email lifecycle management and compliance, today announced the successful implementation of its M+Guardian email firewall across Novell's enterprise worldwide. M+Guardian is being used to filter more than one million messages that attempt to enter the company's GroupWise system each day, and block unwanted Spam, viruses, data leaks and other security threats.
In advertisements placed this week, the group outlined wide-ranging requirements for the role, from the strategic to the technical. For example, the IT manager selected will need to have experience with Novell's Groupwise and SUSE Linux platforms as well as budgeting for long-term IT strategy.
The framework is also openly available for anyone in the Zimbra community to write an extension to other collaboration platforms such as IBM Lotus Domino, Novell€® GroupWise€®, or PeopleCube Meeting Maker.
Zimbra Collaboration Suite, an open-source software package, now has an "open extension framework," and the first extension works with Exchange 2003, Yahoo said Tuesday. The company is leaving it to others to develop extensions for other software, such as IBM's Lotus or Novell's GroupWise.
Novell today announced it has been positioned in the leaders quadrant of Gartner, Inc.'s, "Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Single Sign-On" by Gregg Kreizman, Sept. 18, 2008. The company's enterprise single sign-on solution (ESSO), Novell(R) SecureLogin, helps businesses manage the complex process of streamlining user access to company systems. SecureLogin enables employees to use a single, secure login to authenticate to corporate resources, virtually eliminating the need to manage multiple passwords and usernames and allowing enterprises to comply with regulations and reduce IT administration costs.
This one is a big brag where SUSE's nationalisation might play a role:
The operator of the world's eighth largest airport and Germany's largest employer, Fraport AG, has implemented Novell€® identity and security management solutions to achieve a single point of control for thousands of identities and secure IT resources at Frankfurt Airport. Using Novell, Fraport now boasts a single, integrated solution for authentication, authorization, identity consolidation and rapid, role-based provisioning for 10,000 employees and partners. As a result, Fraport is able to continue its ambitious growth plan for the airport, remain compliant and save almost a half million dollars annually in third party IT services.
The H-P relationship with Novell comes back to the news:
IBM also used the event to pitch its identity management software to HP customers. HP this year said it will stop selling identity management products to new customers and struck a deal with Novell to migrate its customers to Novell’s identity and security management products. Now IBM is trying to grab some of that business by offering migration services and “competitive migration pricing” for HP customers who switch to IBM software such as Tivoli Identity Manager and Tivoli Access Manager.
But the former Novell boss certainly proved divisive for silicon.com readers in the 2007 poll, with 39 votes for him to be moved up the rankings but 47 pushing for a demotion.
Ms. Bradford has received numerous awards, including the Golden Web Award and Platinum Web Award for excellence in web design, and the Novell Team Player Award for excellence in product release and documentation delivery.
As a basic principle, boards should do their primary task extraordinarily carefully, and continually evaluate senior management and also ensure that a carefully thought-out succession plan is in place," said Friedman, whose clients include the Independent Directors of Freddie Mac, the Audit Committees of the New York Mercantile Exchange, Qualcomm Inc., Molson Coors Brewing Co., Novell Inc. and the Special Committee of Abercrombie & Fitch.
Prior to Flurry, Khalaf was president and CEO of Vernier Networks, a network security company; president and CEO of Volera, a leading content and video distribution company; vice president and general manager at Novell; founder, president and CEO of JustOn, a leading Internet file-sharing service; and founder, vice president of marketing at Worldtalk, an e-mail and content security
The ex-CIO of Novell and a well-known open source evangelist Debra Anderson is excited about what she does these days. She works as a strategic advisor at one of the client locations of UST Global, a California-based IT services firm. Debra not only looks at the delivery schedule and manages the projects but also interacts with the CIO of this client, a Fortune 500 retailer, to understand their business problems and help them innovate by advising them with technology solutions.
"At that point, Mr. Ballmer picked up a chair and threw it across the room hitting a table in his office. Mr. Ballmer then said: "F****** Eric Schmidt is a f****** p***y. I'm going to f****** bury that guy, I have done it before, and I will do it again. I'm going to f****** kill Google." ....
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Google CEO Eric Schmidt has worked for both Sun Microsystems and Novell.
Zadri's CV includes more than 25 years of experience building EMEA businesses for U.S. software companies, including Nuance, Seagate, Novell, Sun, and Goldmine. In his new role, Zadri will manage Nitro PDF Software's EMEA sales and marketing operations from the company's new European headquarters in Paris, France.
Partners
The last report spoke about Javier Colado. Here's more:
To-date, M+Guardian is being used to secure the mailboxes of hundreds of thousands of users across the government, education, healthcare and corporate sectors, including 5,000 users at Novell as part of a worldwide, enterprise deployment.
Navigator is a multi OS digital desktop which provides the user with a complete computing experience for the home, which would mean that this one device has the capability to replace all the digital equipment that you use at home today, the company said. Intel, Novell, FX Labs and VDOPIA have joined Novatium to provide a complete digital experience to the end user.
Moonwalk operates across and between all major file systems, including Windows, NFS, Linux and Novell environments, and all primary and secondary storage environments
The complete GuardianEdge Data Protection Platform delivers strong encryption and granular, policy-based access controls, centrally managed administration, and ease of deployment and management. With the industry's only native Microsoft Active Directory integration and support for Novell eDirectory, the platform allows organizations to manage endpoint data protection for all PCs from the same console for the lowest total cost ownership.
Move Networks CEO John Edwards said the ability to deliver high-quality programing through the Internet is changing how people view television, as well as bringing new meaning to the initials www, or world wide web.
"The new www is when you want it, where you want it and what you want to view," said Edwards. "The old www was all about the Internet and the search."
The company was incorporated in 2006 by Edwards and Drew Major, a founder of Novell Inc., in Utah. The technology that powers the Utah company came from a previous venture, XLON Technologies, started by Major and Edwards, a computer engineer also formerly with Novell.
Oil money has become exceptionally notorious for takeover of online platforms and institutions/NGOs (using them to incite society inwards, not upwards)
Comments
jcwarrior0866
2008-10-04 23:30:58
Ok, I'll be honest. I have not read it yet. I am writing here because I would like to know what happened to the OOXML-leaked post?
Suddenly it is missing.
Broken link: http://boycottnovell.com/2008/10/02/ooxml-leaked/
jcwarrior0866
2008-10-04 23:32:25
Roy Schestowitz
2008-10-04 23:47:18