Technical information

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New Technologies/Functionality
Kernel Features
A fully pre-emptive kernel with memory protection for applications; Full multi-processing SMP architecture with a load-
balancing scheduler; Virtual memory support; Source-level and remote debugger;4Gb Memory Support
NetWare 5
requires a minimum of 48Gb memory – 64Gb is preferred.
Enterprise Reliability & Robustness
Support for PCI Hot-swap drives and Hot-swap controllers; New file system technology – Novell Storage Services
(NSS) – catering for maximum file size of 8 Terabytes and billions of files per volume, yet having a mount time of under
1 second, and using less memory than the original NetWare file system. For compatibility reasons, NSS cannot be used
for the SYS volume.
Performance
In March 1998, as a Java Virtual Machine,
NetWare 5
was proved to be 2.5 times faster than NT and 5 times faster than
Solaris via the VolanoMark benchmark tool for JVMs. NetWare 5 has received the PC World 1999 award for Best
Network Operating System and 1999 Network Magazine Product of the Year - Server Operating System.
Integrated Internet & Intranet Services
Netscape FastTrack Server and Browser bundled; Pure TCP/IP, which is now the default protocol; IPX/SPX or a mixture
of TCP/IP and IPX can also be used; SNMP and WAN protocols; Multi-protocol Router; NetWare Connect for remote
access; DNS/DHCP services integrated with NDS for manageability
Java Directions
One of the key new technologies that enables network computing and diverse client support is Java technology.
NetWare 5 includes the Java Virtual Machine, which provides an open-architecture environment and removes the need
for developers to write special NLMs for a NetWare environment
TCO
NetWare 5
includes a Z.E.N.works

starter pack, which consists of Novell Application Launcher and Workstation
Manager. This enables desktop policies and applications to be defined and launched/updated centrally via the NDS tree.
Usability
Easy GUI installation.
The installation process has been completely revised to enable booting from CDROM, creation
of a DOS partition and a more friendly GUI interface.
ConsolOne

is a new GUI management interface into which administration and management applications will snap-in.
Being written in Java, it runs on both console and client, but at this release, the GUI administration utility is only
available from the console.
Novell Distributed Print Services

(NDPS)
provides centralised management of all printers with access over IP or
IPX. It implements plug and print (for an NDPS printer); drivers are automatically downloaded as required. Remote
printers can be managed and access control, configuration etc is all managed via the NDS.
ADD-ON SOFTWARE
Novell provides a number of additional products which enhance the facilities provided by NetWare. ManageWise is a
powerful network monitoring/management suite; BorderManager provides internet firewall and proxy services, plus a
highly efficient cache which provides very fast internet access; Z.E.N.works, the full-product, provides secure remote
desktop control, hardware inventory and help desk policies in addition to the facilities provided in the starter pack;
Novell Replication Services

(NRS) enables replication of NetWare volumes/files across WANs.