SHARE
Facebook X Pinterest WhatsApp

SuSE Acquisition Leads Novell Down New Path

Novell Inc.’s planned $210 million acquisition of SuSE Linux AG raises many questions, especially about the future of the network services company’s NetWare operating system. Novell CEO and Chairman Jack Messman maintains that the Provo, Utah, company has no plans to phase out NetWare as an operating system, saying that it is simply adding Linux […]

Written By
thumbnail
Peter Galli
Peter Galli
Nov 17, 2003
Channel Insider content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

Novell Inc.’s planned $210 million acquisition of SuSE Linux AG raises many questions, especially about the future of the network services company’s NetWare operating system.

Novell CEO and Chairman Jack Messman maintains that the Provo, Utah, company has no plans to phase out NetWare as an operating system, saying that it is simply adding Linux to the mix.

But some customers and resellers are not convinced. John Kretz, president of Enlightened Point Consulting Group LLC, in Phoenix, said he expects the next version of NetWare to be the last true release.

“If Linux is Novell’s future, then it’s time to pull the life-support plug on NetWare and start dedicating serious resources to SuSE,” Kretz said. “Everyone knows NetWare has already become irrelevant. It’s really sad, too, since the core NetWare technology is still today far, far better than anything Microsoft [Corp.] has ever sold.”

But Donald Barber, a senior technical support specialist with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Enterprise IT Delivery group, believes differently, saying SuSE does not point to the end of the road for NetWare but rather adds an option for customers.

Click here for the full eWeek story

Recommended for you...

Motivair by Schneider Electric Launches New CDUs for AI & HPC
Luis Millares
Dec 15, 2025
Mission Announces New Multi-Product Solutions in AWS Marketplace
Jordan Smith
Dec 10, 2025
CrewAI CEO: Human Trust is Core to Autonomous AI Agents
Jordan Smith
Dec 9, 2025
Sparklight Launches Partner Solutions Program
Jordan Smith
Dec 8, 2025
Channel Insider Logo

Channel Insider combines news and technology recommendations to keep channel partners, value-added resellers, IT solution providers, MSPs, and SaaS providers informed on the changing IT landscape. These resources provide product comparisons, in-depth analysis of vendors, and interviews with subject matter experts to provide vendors with critical information for their operations.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.