Novell Networking History of Novell

Novell invented the corporate network in the 1980's. Since then it has been revolutionizing the world of Information Technology with its innovative inventions. The very first software for the Local Area Network started out with printer and file sharing, which evolved into softwares that could be used to manage entire wide area networks in the enterprises. In today's times, Novell is concentrating on the different types of network infrastructures such as, intranets, extranets, the Internet, as well as the corporate and public, wired and wireless networks. It uses softwares to integrate different types of networks and simplify the entanglements that are involved in eBusiness to provide the organizations with the power to succeed in today's times as well as to keep abreast with the latest technological developments.

Novell Data Systems started out as early as 1979, as a computer manufacturer and maker of disk operating system. In 1983, Jack Messman and safeguard Scientifics reincorporated NDSI as Novell, Inc., with the aim of designing and marketing software and hardware that could be used in data networks. Noorda an engineer and marketer by profession, was appointed president and chief executive officer and finally the chairman of the board of the new found organization.

Noorda, introduced LAN, an acronym for Local Area Network and this found its way to corporate network market. In 1983, Novell introduced a LAN software called NetWare, which was based on the technology of file-server. Novell also invented a PC networking system that restricted one machine to control the network and also control the access to shared devices, such as disk drives and printers. It was in May 1983, when Noorda revolutionized technology in IT by introducing what we know today as one "net economy."

Throughout the 1980's, the need for corporate networks was growing faster than one had imagined. It became imperative for all the companies to expand with the setup of local area networks and then to incorporate wide area networks. These networks brought closeness in the otherwise isolated corporate culture. In the early 1990's, Novell enhanced its operating system by adding some more features to its earlier version for it to be used by different enterprises. This was so successful, that Novell had a seventy- percent share in the market. In 1996, the CEO John Young, forecasted that the network market was headed towards products that were meant to be used in collaboration with the Internet. So Novell decided to make Internet ready products.

Dr. Eric Schmidt, who previously worked with Sun Microsystems as the chief technology officer, joined Novell in 1997. He used all his experience to concentrate on one specific area of the Internet that was to improve the networking technology. He decided to base Novell's products on a new protocol for communication called the Internet Protocol. In 1998, Novell came up with Netware 5, an operating system for the servers; Novell directory Service, which served the purpose of new Net services software products from Novell.

With greater innovation in corporate networks, and in the Internet, Novell started to promote NDS to integrate two different mediums into one. The company also started to ship Net services software products that would help to manage the networks and provide networks with better security enabling security access on users identities. In 1999, Novell came up with NDS eDirectory, which helped Novell to provide interoperability with the Internet requirements.

In 2002, Novell, took another customer-orientated approach by introducing SilverStream Software, which provides services to build web-based applications. This new software gives Novell a powerful edge in allowing consumers to build three-pronged web services story. Novell also uses its business expertise to convert Cambridge Technology Partners from business to web services. SilverStream is extremely successful because it is secure, scalable, and reliable to be installed on networks, which can run web-based development applications. Novell is focusing on creating softwares that are based on web development because...

This is challenging but has several opportunities for the prosperity of businesses. This will enable individual users to be able to access information at any time, anywhere and however, they want it from simply any technological device. This is quite interesting because nowadays businesses focus primarily on their customers as the key source of their company's success. Such technology will enable businesses to foster better relationships with their customers, partners and even their own employees. This kind of networking technology will determine who can access to what, when and how. Novell is the leader of technology with experience that dates back to twenty years. It remains the number one company to innovate latest networking technology that provide ideal solutions to networking problems to their customers. This is how they enable customers to realize the importance of 'One Net' world.
Organizational Structure

NUI's structure supports users of NetWare on two different levels: the local and the regional level. On a local level, NUI helps the users of NetWare in their own area. The members of the group elect an executive committee to guide the activities of the NetWare user group. The meet on a regular basis to discuss networking information. They also provide a feedback to Novell on their new as well existing products.

NetWare user group members elect a regional representative to look at the developments of the NetWare user groups and conduct regional programs, which collect feedback from the local NetWare user groups to Novell.

Novell has the aim of providing their NetWare users with softwares and tools that help to exchange information among various users. It provides the customers with the following tools and programs:

NetWare Connection Magazine: This is a monthly magazine that contains information on networking. It has tips, tricks, and simple instructions that can assist one to do their networking job in a better way. This magazine is meant for both novices as well as experienced individuals.

Protective Measures for NetWare Networks

Securing NetWare Servers

This basically means that the system administrators should ensure that their file servers are safe physically and to what extent they can be accessed. There should be a restriction on who can access the file servers. This can be done by physically locking up the servers. Physical security helps protect the equipment from getting stolen or being interfered with, it also prevents unauthorized access. The best way is to control physical access to any operating system and server, because an open server will allow anyone to change the enter console commands, load and unload NLMs or even change the mode of the server to the debug mode. Access to the server hardware can be quite lethal, an intruder can remove disk drives and even install them on another NetWare server, enabling one to have complete access to the company's data. So physically security is extremely important because it protects the hardware and the date on the disk.

You can also have a control access policy that determines who can physically access the server, so for this there should be a proper log in and entry password system. Access to the file servers should be closely monitored and some technique of physical server room key distribution should be used. Other than this, there are devices, which store the login time and the code that is used to access the server room.

You should make sure that the servers are all patched well. Novell makes patches for its operating system to fix problems and enhance performance. These patches also pose some security problems.

NCP Packet Signatures

Enable the NCP Packet Signatures to protect your network from what is called connection hijacking. This can be done by setting the option to 3, that causes the…