Thursday, August 25, 2005

Why NetWare isn't going open source


NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON NOVELL NETWARE TIPS
08/25/05
Today's focus: Why NetWare isn't going open source

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Novell isn't going to make NetWare open source
* Links related to Novell NetWare Tips
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: Why NetWare isn't going open source

By Dave Kearns

With all the talk recently about Novell "open sourcing"
software, there's one question that keeps coming up in my mail
from readers. Why doesn't Novell open-source NetWare?

The OpenSuSE project is just the latest example of Novell's move
to put more software development and maintenance into the hands
of users. Novell previously created open source projects for
iFolder <http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell5864> and Netmail
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell5865>.

We've beaten to death the mantra that Open Enterprise Server
(OES) was designed as a migration strategy to get people moving
from NetWare to Linux. We're pretty confident that there'll be
no further development of NetWare. So why not create an
"OpenNetWare" project and turn over development and maintenance
to a dedicated community of NetWare users, third-party
developers and others interested in continuing to evolve what's
been called the most elegant server operating system ever
created?

The biggest problem with that scenario is exactly that NetWare
is an extremely elegant operating system. The NetWare kernel is
lean and mean. What most of us think of as "NetWare" are the
utilities and tools which ride on top of that elegant core.
Without those tools and utilities, the NetWare kernel resembles
a well-tuned racing car which you turn on - then walk away from.
You can stroll all around it and admire the engine, but unless
you get "on top" of that engine, you aren't going anywhere.

The big draw of OES was that it would run the same tools and
utilities - would have the same "look and feel" - no matter if
you were running the NetWare kernel or the SuSE Linux kernel. So
as new versions of OES come out (or, more likely, it's simply
subsumed into SuSE Linux Enterprise Server) those utilities and
tools represent the value-add that Novell brings to Linux which,
in turn, justifies the price they ask to license and support it.

Open source NetWare would (if it were to be meaningful) need all
the tools and utilities we're familiar with. But that would
undermine Novell's ability to charge for those items in the OES
package. That's just not going to happen.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Zotob worm also targets Windows XP
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell5866>

2. Dr. Internet: Installing DHCP on Linux
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell5867>

3. Cisco preparing management play
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell5641>

4. IP PBXs outsell traditional PBXs, study says
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell5868>

5. Test: Xirrus XS-3900 offers out-of-this-world Wi-Fi capacity
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell5869>

Today's most-forwarded story:

IP PBXs outsell traditional PBXs, study says
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlnovell5870>
_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Dave Kearns

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's
written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print
"Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be
found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>.

Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows
Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management.
Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these

respective addresses: <mailto:windows@vquill.com>,
<mailto:netware@vquill.com>, <mailto:identity@vquill.com>.

Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books,
manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing,
technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill
provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at
<mailto:info@vquill.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponosred by Akamai
Download the Network World Special Report: Accelerating
Web-based Applications: Managed Services Offer Benefits Without
Infrastructure Headaches

Look at most companies and you'll find one thing in common, a
move to Web-enable mission critical applications. A new breed of
managed services, aimed directly at accelerating performance and
availability of Web-based applications, helps companies attain
their goals of profit and growth - no matter how far or wide the
audience they are trying to reach. Learn how Web-based
applications can allow your company to boost the bottom line.
Download this Special Report today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=110777
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