Novell releases update for Open Enterprise Server 11

The elements of Novell's Open Enterprise Server
Source: Novell

Novell has released its first update for Open Enterprise Server 11. Open Enterprise Server is the company's successor to its NetWare products, delivering a range of shared network services, such as file, print and identity, and virtualised systems to enterprise environments. The headline feature in service Pack 1 (SP1) for OES11 is a switch to February's release of SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 SP2. SLES 11 SP2 includes a newer 3.0 Linux kernel, support for the Btrfs filesystem, LXC Linux Containers, enhanced KVM and Xen virtualisation, and improved driver support. The updated underlying operating system also brings with it improvements to energy consumption and file/print services.

The OES11 SP1 update also simplifies installation, with both SLES and OES installable from a single DVD. Home directories are now FTP accessible, an updated eDirectory improves performance and an express installer for Domain Services For Windows (DSFW) is included. Virtualisation improvements include certification for running as a guest under VMware. Novell has also introduced an early adopter edition of its Filr product which it bills as "the next generation of file-access and sharing," which extends to Android and iOS devices too.

Novell is aiming for faster release cycles with a new "Feature Channel" that customers can select to obtain the latest feature innovations from Novell; alternatively they can stick to the patch channel which delivers fixes and support packs. Those patches should deploy quicker thanks to a new "fast update stack".

A 60-day evaluation version of Open Enterprise Server 11 SP1 is available. Pricing is available on request.

(djwm)