Novell Announces LANalyzer for NetWare Networking Leader Expands Network Management Product Line with New, Easy-to-Use Analysis and Monitoring System for NetWare SAN JOSE, Calif. -- May 11, 1992 -- Novell Inc. today announced LANalyzer for NetWare, the first monitoring and analysis product designed specifically for NetWare networks. LANalyzer for NetWare is an affordable, hardware-independent network management product that brings sophisticated network monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities to virtually every Ethernet NetWare installation. LANalyzer for NetWare combines network monitoring and analysis in a single, easy-to-use Microsoft Windows-based system. Its graphical user interface provides an easily understood view of network statistics, and features a unique point-and-click filtering system that minimizes the networking expertise necessary to use the product. It includes specialized tests and diagnostics for the NetWare environment. The product also includes complete seven-layer protocol decodes for all versions of NetWare, as well as for AppleTalk Phases 1 and 2. LANalyzer for NetWare can be used as a network troubleshooting tool, a realtime monitoring system, an in-depth statistical analyzer and a network growth planner. The product runs on any 80386 or better DOS-Windows workstation and can analyze traffic on any type of Ethernet cabling (standard, thin-net or 10BASE-T). "NetWare customers tell us they need to supplement their server management and workstation diagnostics with a tool that lets them manage the NetWare environment as a whole," said Duane Murray, vice president and general manager of Novell's Network Management Products Division. "LANalyzer for NetWare fills that need and gives systems administrators the first affordable, easy-to-use management and analysis solution for NetWare networks. It takes network monitoring and troubleshooting out of the realm of network or protocol specialists and makes it available to all NetWare administrators. It's the first management tool anyone who administers NetWare networks should consider buying." According to Murray, LANalyzer for NetWare brings together three key Novell technologies: the NetWare operating system; the industry-leading high-performance LANalyzer; and the recently introduced NetWare Management System. "We've applied analysis and troubleshooting technologies pioneered in the original LANalyzer, optimized them for the NetWare environment, and added the intuitive Windows interface and management tools we're using in NMS," Murray said. "The combination creates a full-featured, easy-to-use analysis tool priced to significantly expand the market and use of this technology." Key Features and Benefits Novell's LANalyzer for NetWare offers the following features and functions: ~ Intuitive interface -- LANalyzer for NetWare is designed to make complex network analysis and management functions as easy to understand and use as possible. Users navigate using the familiar Windows mouse-driven system. The product's initial interface is an automotive "dashboard," which displays network statistics on three circular gauges with needles that move to represent levels of key network activity, including traffic rates, bandwidth utilization and errors. LANalyzer for NetWare detects common problems and alerts users to network anomalies through a system of warning lights, audible alarms and text descriptions of error conditions. ~ Point-and-click filtering -- A feature unique to LANalyzer for NetWare, point-and-click filtering minimizes the networking expertise needed on the part of the user. Rather than using complex software commands to set up filters to find specific network traffic or events, users can simply use the mouse to select anything of interest, such as a particular protocol, address or event. LANalyzer for NetWare automatically filters on those criteria and displays all similar conditions or events. For example, if users want to look at errors in opening files on a server, they simply highlight one of those events and LANalyzer for NetWare automatically finds all similar occurrences and displays them on the screen. The information displayed establishes a pattern which indicates the source of the problem. ~ Active name gathering -- Another unique LANalyzer for NetWare feature, the product actively queries servers and workstations to get the names of all NetWare and Macintosh nodes logged into the network. Active systems allow administrators to get the names quickly and on demand; passive systems must wait for stations to announce their names (most stations only announce their names when logging into a server). ~ Packet capture and interpretation -- LANalyzer for NetWare offers full seven-layer decoding capabilities for all NetWare and AppleTalk networking protocols. This allows the user to determine exactly what is occurring on the network at the packet level. Full protocol decodes help users identify and resolve networking problems. LANalyzer for NetWare is the only analysis product, with the exception of the original LANalyzer, to support all versions of NetWare, including NetWare 3.x, NetWare 2.x and NetWare Lite. ~ Network trend information -- The product stores long-term network statistics to disk. These statistics can be viewed graphically or exported to standard spreadsheets for additional analysis or to help plan future network expansion. ~ Hardware independence -- LANalyzer for NetWare runs on any standard Microsoft Windows 3.x-based PC. This allows LANalyzer for NetWare software to be stored centrally and moved to any DOS-Windows workstation on any segment that requires service. Hardware independence also leverages existing computer equipment. Pricing and Availability Novell's LANalyzer for NetWare, a complete network monitoring and analysis system for NetWare networks, will be available through Novell distribution channels in June 1992. The suggested list price is US$1,495. For a limited time, LANalyzer for NetWare will be offered at the introductory suggested list price of US$995. The original LANalyzer, recently enhanced in release 3.11A, is also available now. It includes the expert Automated Troubleshooting System, full decodes for 18 networking environments, LANalyzer operational software, a specialized network analysis interface card and extensive documentation. Versions for Ethernet or Token Ring (4 and 16 Mbps) topologies list for US$12,500. A combined Ethernet and Token Ring version lists for US$19,980. Pricing applies in the United States and Canada only. For pricing outside the United States and Canada, customers should contact their local Novell Authorized reseller. Network Management Solutions From Novell In addition to LANalyzer for NetWare, Novell's network management products include the original LANalyzer, an industry leader since 1984; the LANtern system, an SNMP-based network monitoring solution that provides centralized control of Ethernet networks; the recently introduced NetWare Management System, an integration platform and set of advanced network management applications; and NetWare Hub Services, connectivity management software that provides the foundation for the industry's first open, multi-vendor, hardware-independent intelligent hub solution. Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVL) is an operating system software company, the developer of network services, specialized and general purpose operating system products including NetWare and DR DOS. Novell's NetWare network computing products manage and control the sharing of services, data and applications among computer workgroups, departmental networks and business-wide information systems.