Novell still feisty as it pushes Linux alternatives to Microsoft for SMBs

Linux & Open Source This newsletter is sponsored by Arsenal Digital Solutions Data Protection: Preferred Strategies used by SMBs Data has become the most valuable resource that many companies own. Organizations of all sizes are actively searching for reliable, affordable solutions for data protection to help them with business continuity, disaster recovery, and compliance. The problem is especially acute for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), which typically lack the resources to add new technologies or manage the growing infrastructure required to deal with the problem. Click here to listen to this webcast which reveals the latest findings and trends! Network World's Linux & Open Source Newsletter, 06/20/07 Novell still feisty as it pushes Linux alternatives to Microsoft for SMBs By Phil Hochmuth While Novell's partnership with Microsoft remains the subject of controversy, the NetWare-cum-Linux vendor is still pushing out Linux and open source products aimed at taking market share away from its patent-protection partner. This fall, Novell is expected to release a package of Linux desktop and server offerings aimed at small businesses. The package will include SUSE Enterprise Linux Server and Novell's Open Enterprise Server, the company's hybrid Linux/NetWare offering. This will include end-user rights management, server failover and network administration tools. On the desktop, end-users will get SUSE Enterprise Linux Desktop, with packages including OpenOffice and GroupWise e-mail, calendar and groupware tools. From servers to storage: Virtualization saves It's touted as one of the fastest and easiest ways to better manage and control your infrastructure. Download this guide today and see how network IT execs are making virtualization pay off in the real world; discover the 8 virtualization gotchas you need to know; and much more. Click here to download. Novell is taking clear aim at its partner Microsoft with the offering. It says the 200-seat, four-server Novell Open Workgroup Suite Small Business Edition will give more bang for the buck compared to Microsoft's Small Business Server package, which only supports 75 users, and does not include desktop applications such as Office. This kind of sniping by Novell against Microsoft was common in the past. But the relationship between Novell and Microsoft around Linux patent protection introduces a new wrinkle. The deal, struck last fall, allows the two companies to share intellectual property, and protects each company's customer base from lawsuits against the other vendor. So far, the competitive juices still seem to be flowing inside Novell, as it attempts to take on Microsoft with its planned fall launch. If more of such initiatives by Novell emerge, and find market success, could we expect to see a change in terms of the Microsoft/Novell deal? Editor's Note: We're sad to report that Phil Hochmuth will be leaving Network World to take up a position as an industry analyst. In place of this newsletter, starting Friday, July 6, you will begin receiving the Linux & Open Source News Alert newsletter, a weekly digest of Linux and open source-related news and opinions written and compiled by LinuxWorld Editor Don Marti. We thank you for supporting our newsletters.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

Contact the author: Phil Hochmuth is a Network World Senior Editor and a former systems integrator. You can reach him at phochmut@nww.com. This newsletter is sponsored by Arsenal Digital Solutions Data Protection: Preferred Strategies used by SMBs Data has become the most valuable resource that many companies own. Organizations of all sizes are actively searching for reliable, affordable solutions for data protection to help them with business continuity, disaster recovery, and compliance. The problem is especially acute for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), which typically lack the resources to add new technologies or manage the growing infrastructure required to deal with the problem. Click here to listen to this webcast which reveals the latest findings and trends! ARCHIVE Archive of the Linux & Open Source Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: security.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007