Vol 3, No 40 - 12/12/01

** High Priority **

BrainShare 2002???
It's hard to believe that another year has already gone by, but here's the proof: BrainShare 2002 is just around the corner! So get ready, set, go to learn first-hand about Novell's latest products and strategies. Get hands-on technical experience. See the latest third-party offerings. Network. Play in the technology lab. Take a certification test. And have fun! As every year, BrainShare 2002 will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Salt Palace Convention Center; the dates are March 17 through March 22, 2002. Online registration started December 1, 2001 at www.novellbrainshare.com. If you register before February 15, 2002, registration costs $1,495.00. After that, it's $1,695.00.

The CIO Corner

Consultants. Whose Side Are They On?? (I have used some thoughts I've seen over the past several months in the Novell ListServs and some comments I have received from you, my customers, about how you react (or wish you could react) when faced with this Consultant's report coming down from OnHigh..)

Be very aware of ulterior motives of outside Consultants hired to perform an analysis of your IT organization. A word of advice to anyone who hires a 'consultant'.... Be aware of their affinity towards Microsoft before hiring them! What you want from a consultant is a truly unbiased, expert opinion. Unfortunately, I believe that's highly improbable. Why?? Several reasons... One, the Consultant has no experience with any products other than the Microsoft stuff, so while say they are impartial, they aren't. For another, some companies/resellers/integrators realize they can sell LOTS more services, hardware, and software by ripping out whatever you ever (NetWare, Linux, Unix,...) and replacing with MS. And another- it might be corporate policy to push MS into all their accounts, usually as a result of the second reason. One tack many Consultants take is using a new application against you. For example, you need to update your accounting package. Since just about all of them run only on MS-SQL these days, the Consultant says you might just as well replace everything. For them, it will be much easier to integrate the new package. Of course, they don't know anything about any of the other things you are doing...

A real world example. I used to work a lot with Macola, an accounting package, back in its DOS days.. But now there is Macola Progression. Effective with the next major release ("real soon now"), it will only support MS/SQL server for storing data. But there is light at the end of the tunnel! So what would the Consultant recommend- rip and replace.. However, you can always use a separate 'database' and 'apps' server for environments over 30 or so users (says something about MS/SQL, but I digress...). Can you set up an MS/SQL server for the data, and house all the application program files on your NetWare server?? Absolutely!! If that Consultant can't do it, shop around for another Consultant, because there are many that can make it work.

Most IT shops pride themselves in using the best product to get the job done, even if it entails a mixed OS/Platform shop. Don't buy into the hype that you can reduce management costs by using all one vendor's products.

One customer mentioned they have asked the consultant sign an agreement to indemnify the client to the amount of the whole recommended cost if the consultant is an employee of, or given any compensation, reimbursement, special or other financial benefit from the supplier of the recommended solution. In other words if anyone gives you a real value, cash or otherwise financial incentive to recommend a certain solution, then the consultant now owes the client the full cost of the recommended solution. Most consultants couldn't sign anything like this.

Usually when a software vendor says they no longer support Novell, it is often the case that the specific application DOES work on Novell and usually very well It is just that they no longer have on staff persons familiar with the current versions of NetWare. Therefore they do not support the use of their app on NetWare. In other words they can't support it but you can use it. You should always ask the vendor to confirm that if the app is NOT able to run on multiple platforms such as Novell and Linux, when will it? Make it an issue to qualify the software as running on at least 3 NOS platforms as a prerequisite before consideration.

Any consultant who does not understand the usefulness of a mixed platform environment does not understand the industry and cannot claim to be a consultant. They are a 'salesperson' in disguise. CFOs, COOs, or CIOs should understand this.

Bottom line - make sure the consultant understands your business, your apps, and your direction. If they come back with an all MS solution, narrow down a few processes that you know will not work with MS and ask for an explanation. As a rule the consultant should be interviewing several key personnel in your company to get a overview of what everyone's expectation will be.

Technical Tips

Multiple Passwords Using Mac and Client32?
This question came up during one of our NetWare 6 Roadshows. In a school situation, a student might be a Mac user in certain labs yet need to use a Win32/Client32 workstation in another lab. While using the Mac, the student can store files on the NW 6 server running Native File Access. Native File Access (or NFAP) takes advantage of the included Novell Modular Authentication Services (NMAS) in NetWare 6, and uses the Simple Password Method to authenticate. The Simple Password can be, and usually is different than, the eDirectory password. So if the student changes the password using the Mac device, they change the Simple Password. If they use the Win32/Client32 device, they change the NDS password. Changing one does NOT sync to change the other. So, how do you prevent this situation...

First, update the old Novell proprietary NetWare Client 32 to the latest version that supports NMAS and the Simple Password login method.

Then, Admins can group select all the users in a container using ConsoleOne and then disable the old NDS change password bit. Users will still be free to change their Simple Password and the login methods will guarantee the successful synchronization of the old NDS password with the Simple Password.

Hearing Any FUD About NetWare 6?
Let me know if you do.... Here are cool facts...

1. In the first month following its release, NetWare 6 generated 150 NTS incidents. NetWare 5.0 generated 500 incidents and NetWare 5.1 generated 250 incidents in the first month following their releases.
2. According to the NetWare 6 Support Team, none of the reported NetWare 6 incidents is a show stopper but rather minor issues with quick resolution.
3. Novell System Test increased its Reliability Test Suite for NetWare 6 by 6% from what they used for NetWare 5.1. With NetWare 5.1, 99% of these test cases completed and 96% succeeded. With NetWare 6, 100% of the tests completed and 98% succeeded.
4. The End of Beta surveys are still coming in with extremely positive feedback. One common thread is the superb reliability and scalability of the product.
5. 85+ servers in Novell's corporate tree are running NetWare 6. Some production servers have been running NetWare 6 for 80 consecutive days with zero down time.

Dave Kearns' Latest Quotes

1. Microsoft will have to "go public" with the specification for .Net MyServices, allowing third parties full, free access to the technology.
2. Novell will continue to win honors for NetWare 6 but will ignore that in marketing because "the future is in services" and will see its stock continue to languish with a possible buy-out by the end of 2002.
3. Carly Fiorina will carry the Hewlett-Packard board with her to complete the acquisition of Compaq.
4. The number of Linux servers will continue to eat into Windows' market share while Windows inches up its dominance of the desktop.

NAS Certified Hardware
We have completed certification of some IBM servers and a bunch of Compaq servers. The bulletins aren't posted on the web yet but will be soon. IBM
xServer 340
xServer 200
NetFinity 7600
xSeries 300
xSeries 220

Compaq
ML570
ML530
ML370
ML350 2 models
DL380
DL360

Cool URLs

Discontinuance of Many Products
December 31, 2001, is a big date for many products. If you are concerned about some you might be running, check out the Product Lifecycle web site at http://support.novell.com/lifecycle/forecast.html

What is 'Dove'? eDirectory version 8.6.1
http://aim-investment-info.pf.aol.com/investments/news/story/pr/?story=/news/stories/pr/20011211/SFTU094.htm&symbol=NOVL

iPrint Flash Demo
Check this out!!! We have the flash iPrint Demo ready.. Have fun.. http://www.novell.com/products/netware6/start.html

Heard of Section 508?
Check out Novell's public accessibility statements at www.novell.com/accessibility. Specifically, the statement for GW 6 is found at http://www.novell.com/accessibility/gw6_accessibility.html.

Just a technical note of potential interest: Section 508 isn't actually part of ADA. ADA addresses all sorts of things, but not the accessability of computer hardware and software. ADA is only one of several laws that address accessibility, with another being the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 508 is actually part (the 508th section) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Can eDirectory Trump Active Directory?
Check out the Computerworld forum at http://cwforums.computerworld.com/WebX?14@@.ee9b0a9 Get over there and add your comments, good or bad, just as long as they are truthful...

The Other Guys Corner

MICROSOFT WARNS OF ANOTHER HOLE IN OUTLOOK WEB ACCESS
December 07, 2001 06:41 AM
A flaw in the Outlook Web Access module in Microsoft's Exchange 5.5 e-mail system could allow unauthorized access to user's mailboxes, the company warned late Thursday.
For Full Story: http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/01/12/07/011207hnoutlookhole.xml?1207alert

FYI-Humor
Best viewed with IE http://www.thesleepwalker.com/sleepwalker/

U.K. Government Could Drop Microsoft Over License Fees
http://www.computerworld.com/storyba/0,4125,NAV47_STO66071,00.html

Education

Help Desk, Des Moines, IA

560: NetWare 5.1 Administration, February 11-15, $1596.00
570: NetWare 5.1 Advanced Admin, January 7-11, $1596.00
556: Integrating eDirectory and Active Directory
992: Directory and Database Integration with DirXML, Call for dates, $1795.00
CNA Night School - commences Tuesday, January 8th!
NetWare 6 Administration and Upgrade courses coming in January!! Call to be placed on the advance waiting list - we expect demand to be high!

Advanced Network Technologies, Omaha, NE

560: NetWare 5 Administration, January 21-25
570: NetWare 5 Advanced Administration, December 17-21 & February 18-22
781: Workstation Management with ZENworks 3, January 14-18
3000: Upgrading to NetWare 6, February 4-8
370: GroupWise 6 Administration, February 25-March 1
*** 561: NetWare 6 Administration - Coming Soon!

eSeminars available through Novell U!
eSeminars (http://www.start7.de/novell/start.htm) are now available through Novell University! eSeminars provide supplementary product information delivered by Net Directory and Net Management marketing teams via the Novell University Union. The Novell University Library also provides access to Novell product information through tools such as AppNotes and Novell Technical Information Documents (TIDs) (http://www.wgu.edu/wgu/vu/novell/library/overview.asp). General business, IT, education classes, as well as Department-specific training, are located in the Novell University Course Catalog. Visit Novell University at http://www.wgu.edu/wgu/vu/novell/home.asp

New Certified Novell Salesperson Courseware Available
The latest edition of Selling Net Services Solutions version 6.0 has just been released. It includes updated materials on Novell's strategy, NetWare 6, new versions of the ZENWORKS family, Security and Provisioning solutions including industry partner examples, increasing your revenues with Novell licensing options, along with coverage of other great Novell solutions. Completing this courseware prepares you to take the Certified Novell Salesperson exam and obtain your CNS certification. http://www.novell.com/partners/channel/academy/spresent.html

Developer Tour Stops in Minneapolis
Looking for more information about developing to eDirectory? How to customize Apache or Tomcat on NetWare? That and lots more is available in the Developers Tour that is scheduled to be in Minneapolis January 7 and 8, 2002.... Get more information and sign up at: http://developer.novell.com/education/tour (The Minneapolis stop IS there.... Get signed up!!)

Novell Upgrading to NetWare 6 Self-Study Kit (Course 3000)
Novell is pleased to announce the release of the Upgrading to NetWare 6 Self-Study Kit (Course 3000). The kit includes a student manual, an Enhanced Learning CD that offers students a variety of practice test assessments, animations, and a 5-user demo version of Novell's NetWare 6.

Users Groups- A Great Place To Network- The Person-to-Person Kind

Be sure to visit and support your local NetWare/Network/Novell users group-

Nebraska NetWare Users Group (NNUI)
http://www.gioffre.com/nuiomaha/index.htm
meets second Tuesday of each month (except Jul, Aug)

Lincoln Area NetWare Users Group (LANUG)
members.aol.com/thomstarr/lanug
meets third Tuesday of the month, Noon-1pm, Energy Square/SE Community College

Central Iowa Network Professionals (CINP)
Meetings are held at 3:00pm on the third Thursday of the month.
Check website at www.cinp.net.

Mississippi Valley NetWare Users Group (MVNUG) (Dubuque, Iowa)
Meetings will usually be held on the Second Thursday of the month...
Contact Skip Hefel and board members at MVNUG@DigitalMe.com

Sales Stuff----

SecureLogin 3.0 (English)
Novell is pleased to announce the newest version of the world's #1 single sign-on product, Novell SecureLogin 3.0 (English). Novell SecureLogin 3.0 is Novell's enterprise single sign-on solution, supporting Windows, Web, Citrix/Terminal Server, Telnet, RADIUS and Host Terminal Emulator applications.

Managed Server Hierarchical Storage Management 4.0
Novell is pleased to announce the availability of Managed Server HSM 4.0 (English) to all customers worldwide. Managed Server Software is CaminoSoft's core product for every distributed network. This agent software goes on any NetWare 4, 5, & 6 Legacy servers and NetWare 6 NSS.

Storage Server HSM 3.8
Novell is pleased to announce the availability of Storage Server HSM 3.8 to all customers worldwide. Storage Server is the near-line enabling software for the central Network Attached Storage repositories. It provides similar policy management for its data volumes, except that it facilitates the movement of your data from on-line availability to near-line libraries and jukeboxes and then through those devices the media may be moved to an archive state.

Novell iFolder 1.01
Novell is pleased to announce the release of Novell iFolder 1.01 to all customers worldwide. Novell iFolder gives organizations a Net services software solution that allows their mobile users' files to automatically follow them everywhere. Users can access, organize, and manage their files from anywhere - online, offline, all the time - across multiple systems and the Net.

DirXML 1.1* (English)
Novell announces the availability of DirXML 1.1 to customers worldwide. DirXML is a data sharing service that provides integration capabilities for universal connections between disparate resources, so they work together as one Net. DirXML creates XML-based pathways that allow identity-based information to flow freely between applications, data stores and network platforms, regardless of technical or organizational boundaries - inside or outside firewalls. This creates streamlined administration and control of identities, as well as uniform data integrity and automated efficiency that spans all network resources. As a result, DirXML enables effective communication between applications, data stores and network platforms; ensures data consistency within and between organizations; and powers enterprise and eBusiness transformations by accelerating the flow of information throughout the extended enterprise.

DirXML Driver 3.6 for PeopleSoft
Novell is pleased to announce the availability of the DirXML Driver version 3.6 for PeopleSoft, which supports PeopleSoft 7.0, 7.5 and 8.1. With the DirXML Driver for PeopleSoft, customers can create new accounts in PeopleSoft, populate PeopleSoft with data housed in other applications, and leverage data in PeopleSoft across the enterprise and outside the firewall to business partners' systems. The DirXML Driver for PeopleSoft also offers enhanced fail over connection support.

DirXML Driver 1.0 for SAP® R3 Driver
Novell is pleased to announce the availability of the DirXML Driver 1.0 for SAP® R3, which supports SAP R/3 versions 4.5B and 4.6C. The DirXML Driver 1.0 for SAP® R3 synchronizes personnel data between the SAP HR database and Novell eDirectory. This driver technology enables data to flow within a business enterprise based on its own unique requirements, and eliminates the labor-intensive and error-prone practice of re-entering the same data into multiple databases. Since the SAP HR system is the authoritative source of personnel information, the driver allows administrators to propagate this data to other non-SAP business appcommend a certain solution, then the consultant now owes the client the fulllications and databases without the need for custom integration solutions. Administrators can decide what data will be shared and how the data will be presented within their enterprises.

Novell Portal Services v1.0 SP1, with AltaVista Search Engine
Novell recently announced the immediate availability of Service Pack 2 for Novell Portal Services 1.0, which includes AltaVista Search Engine Software as a core component of Novell Portal Services. AltaVista Search Software leverages the power of Novell eDirectory to provide secure search capabilities based on users' business context (roles, locations, business hierarchy, workgroups, cost codes, etc.), giving portal users fingertip access to the combined information resources of the intranet and the Internet. Efficient and secure access to these critical resources helps users work more effectively while enhancing relationships and communications with partners and customers.

Unlike other portal search offerings, the directory-enabled AltaVista Search Software will associate indexes of internal and external websites and documents to users based on their business context. Business context and identity stored in the corporate directory ensure sensitive information never shows up in a user's search results unless that person is authorized to see it. Novell Portal Services will help organizations exploit all of their knowledge assets along with information on the Internet by wrapping the security of the directory around AltaVista Search Software. Novell is eliminating the barriers between the intranet and the Internet.

AltaVista Search Software provides significant search technologies that offer categorization across more than 225 file formats, effectively searching all data, structured or unstructured. The reach of the search expands beyond traditional word processing documents to include images, videos, PDFs and other types of global content. More than 30 languages are supported, including double-byte languages like Chinese, Japanese and Korean, allowing companies to immediately deploy search across global markets, operations and supply chains.

New Phone Number for Iowa/Nebraska Account Manager
Steve's numbers now are:
(new) Novell Office #515.537.5300
(same) Cellular Ph #515.250.6194
(same)TollFree Fax #866.618.4712

Administration Information:

Trouble Incident Escalation
I am NOT a Tech Support person... But, if you have an open support incident and it has been open for an unusually long period of time, one of my functions is to help escalate the issue inside Novell Tech Support. I will decide what the 'unusually long period of time' is... If you have a support contract, your issue should be resolved within days (resolved; depending on the level of the support contract, someone should contact you within minutes/hours to start working on it.) Without a support contract, you might face hours/days of waiting before tech support can address your call. So, if you feel you need assistance, send me an e-mail describing the incident, the incident number, and who to contact. If you don't have an open incident, don't get me involved until you do.

How to Get Tech Support

• Call 800-858-4000
  • Use a credit card to pay for an incident
  • Use an incident as part of a Premium Services contract
• Call your favorite local reseller- Many have tech support available from Novell
• OnLine- If you have a support contract, open an incident (as well as update the incident or check its status) at http://support.novell.com/servlet/incident

Want to see how some of our solutions work?
Check them out at the on-line demo city... http://democity.novell.com/staticindex.html

Due a Software Upgrade?
Here is how the process works.... You should receive an e-mail from Novell Sales Operations stating you are entitled, as an upgrade protection customer, the next upgrade for product XYZ... You should then go to the upgrade request site at www.novell.com/licensing/upgfulfill and fill in the appropriate lines and information. Your upgrade should then be shipped second day.... BUT turnaround time is dependent on when the product is actually available for FCS (First Customer Ship), which could be days or weeks after the actual product announcement. If you are then having problems, please let your IA/NE Novell team know so we can get involved.

Previous Editions of this E-Blast
Have you missed previous editions of this newsletter? Want to read them? Thanks to the CINP (Central Iowa Network Professionals), they have posted them all at http://www.cinp.net/nov_blast.html...

Subscribe to news listservs at:
For GroupWise list: http://www.ngwlist.com
For Syracuse U NetWare list: listserv@listserv.syr.edu with 'subscribe novell' in message body

Disclaimer:
Information contained herein is provided as-is. Opinions are those of the author and may or may not be the same as those of Novell, and are definitely NOT attributable to Novell unless otherwise noted.

John Bezy
Technology Account Manager
Iowa/Nebraska
ph: (402) 291-1808
eFax: (561) 760-6149
fax: (402) 291-4529
Novell-the leading provider of
     Net Services Software
     www.novell.com
jbezy@novell.com