Provo, UT:  Novell today announced the availability of Novell® Open Enterprise Server 11. The latest release is built on SUSE®Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP1, providing customers with more flexibility and choice. Novell Open Enterprise Server 11 simplifies and streamlines management of file and print networks so customers can leverage existing investments to help lower costs and enhance end-user productivity.

Novell Open Enterprise Server is a SUSE Linux Enterprise-based workgroup operating system with enterprise-class file and print services that are easy to deploy and manage. It serves the needs of knowledge workers by delivering industry-leading interoperability, reliability and scalability. The latest release extends the flexibility of SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 SP1, allowing customers to choose from a broad array of support options, driver tools and modules. Customers also gain more deployment options via SUSE Studio to build and deploy software appliance-based services to their Novell Open Enterprise Server environment using SUSE Studio templates from Novell.

According to a recent Technology Spotlight from IDC, “Having Open Enterprise Server deploying aboard a standard Linux kernel – one consistent with the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server products – leads to better standardization for customers, which is one dimension to achieving lower operational costs for operating system deployments.”       IDC Technology Spotlight, sponsored by Novell, “The Convergence of Open Enterprise Server: NetWare Services Become Linux Services,” May 2011  http://idcdocserv.com/1199

The release of Novell Open Enterprise Server 11 demonstrates a reinvestment in Novell’s core solutions and a commitment to product development and customer needs.

“Our Open Enterprise Server customers’ number-one request is the ability to leverage the flexibility and choice in SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 SP1. Now, customers can get the most out of their existing IT infrastructure investments while continuing to lower costs and reduce administration time,” said Eric Varness, vice president of product management and marketing at  Novell. “This is the first in a series of product announcements that reaffirm Novell’s commitment to delivering reliable, cost-effective solutions while enhancing productivity in the workplace.”

Additional customer benefits of Novell Open Enterprise Server 11 include:

Cross-Platform Client Support – Native Mac* AFP protocol support makes it the most comprehensive and advanced cross-platform server for mixed Windows*, Linux* and Mac clients, enhancing interoperability and choice.

Centralized Server Deployment – Innovative server upgrade capability allows IT administrators to manage server upgrades from a single location, saving considerable time and resources.

Dynamic Storage Technology – Data tiering capability allows IT administrators to apply automated controls for data movement and storage so that compliance requirements can be met more easily and cost effectively.

Microsoft* Active Directory Authentication– Supports business applications by allowing Microsoft Active Directory-based applications to authenticate directly from Novell eDirectory, keeping server sprawl and administration complexity down.