Novell Introduces NetWare Hub Services Powerful New Management System Delivers Intelligent Hub Capabilities at Low Cost SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Jan. 28, 1992 -- Novell, Inc. today announced NetWare Hub Services v1.0, a powerful network management software system that provides the foundation for the industry's first open, multi-vendor, hardware-independent intelligent hub solution and brings users low-cost, reliable managed connectivity. NetWare Hub Services, consisting of a set of NetWare Loadable Modules (NLMs), allows hub cards to be integrated into NetWare servers, creating a low-cost, intelligent connectivity and management system for NetWare 3.x users. The product fully supports Novell's Hub Management Interface (HMI), letting users choose from any HMI-compliant hub product from a variety of hardware vendors. NetWare Hub Services supports a virtually unlimited number of ports within a NetWare server; the only limitations are the number of ports on the card and the number of expansion slots in the computer chassis. "NetWare Hub Services, in combination with products from our industry partners, should significantly reduce the cost of manageable hubs and bring intelligent connectivity within the reach of even the smallest network," said Duane Murray, vice president and general manager of Novell's Network Management Products Division. "We believe this structured wiring solution is an important factor in fostering the growth of the network computing market." Steve Adams of Advanced Business Solutions in Portland, Oregon, agrees. "NetWare Hub Services is the right step at the right time," Adams said. "The product is simple, easy to use, straightforward and reliable. It has a familiar interface, I didn't need any documentation to figure out how to use it, and I don't have to be a rocket scientist to interpret what the errors mean. I'm pleased at the direction Novell is taking to offer the system manager more tools to make the job easier." Key Features NetWare Hub Services includes the following capabilities: ~ HUBCON (hub management utility) -- an NLM that allows network managers to control NetWare Hub Services across the network from a server single console. HUBCON is similar in appearance to other Novell server management utilities such as SYSCON and TCPCON. ~ Hub Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) interface -- an NLM that permits management of NetWare Hub Services from a single, centralized SNMP-based console. The SNMP NLM also supports IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange) networks, offering users a choice of running SNMP over IP or IPX. ~ Support for NetWare remote console utilities -- Users can control NetWare Hub Services at either the server or at a remote workstation using products from Novell: RMF (Remote Management Facility) to establish LAN-based or asynchronous communications links; or XCONSOLE for X-Windows system-based management. ~ Support for multiple hubs per server -- NetWare Hub Services allows networks to be subdivided within a single NetWare server to create a more flexible environment. NetWare Hub Services and NetWare Runtime Create a Standalone Hub OEM customers can combine NetWare Hub Services with NetWare Runtime v3.11 and third-party cards and desktop computers to create standalone, non-proprietary, hardware-independent intelligent hubs with superior price performance ratios. NetWare Runtime, announced January 27, 1992, is the core NetWare operating system without such services as file and print. (Please see the accompanying NetWare Runtime announcement for further details.) NetWorth, Inc. of Dallas, Texas focuses on integrating departmental networks with enterprise systems. "The availability of NetWare Runtime and NetWare Hub Services takes advantage of two of the most widespread standards in computing environments: NetWare and PCs," said John McHale, president of NetWorth. "Novell is offering a flexible, non-proprietary platform that we can use to build customized connectivity solutions for our customers." According to Mary Modahl, director of network strategy research at Forrester Research, Inc., the combination of NetWare Hub Services and NetWare Runtime, used in conjunction with third-party hardware, should bring the per-port cost of manageable hubs into the US$80 range by the end of 1992. She adds that the lowest-priced hubs could drop into the 60-65 dollar-per-port range. Today's introduction of the NetWare Multiprotocol Router product lets users integrate NetWare Runtime with NetWare Hub Services to build a powerful, integrated connectivity server. Novell Labs Certification All hub components from third-party vendors, including interface cards and drivers, will be tested for HMI specification compliance through Novell Labs certification programs. Novell Labs programs assure customers that networking components from third-party developers are compatible with the NetWare network computing environment. Interested developers can contact Novell Labs at 801-429-5544. Pricing and Availability NetWare Hub Services will be available in late March through Novell reseller channels for the list price of US$250. Hub interface cards, which will be available from a variety of third-party vendors, vary in price. 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. Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVL) is an operating system software company, the developer of network services, specialized and general purpose operating system software products including NetWare, DR DOS, DR Multiuser DOS and FlexOS. 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.