Novell Inc, Provo, Utah is moving into network management systems with the launch of NetWare Remote Management Facility, describing it as the first product to provide network managers with full control of remote NetWare 386 servers from a central location. Remote Management Facility is designed to enable customers to install, upgrade, maintain and back up distributed NetWare 386 servers from remote workstations, and includes distributed server console software that enables personal computers to execute console commands through the NetWare internet facility or through asynchronous connections. It will cost $2,000 from the second quarter. Separately, the company’s LANalyser Products Division introduced the LANtern, claiming it to be the first remote network monitor to use an open standard network management protocol – the SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol. Designed for Ethernetworks, it is offered OEM, enabling buyers to add a user interface that enables LANtern-generated network data to appear on their network management consoles. An end-user versi on incorporating Novell’s own net work management console software is planned for later this year. The monitor, a combination of hardware and software, continuously monitors vital network statistics and also tracks usage and traffic patterns on the network. It’s $4,500, and can be rack-mounted or used stand-alone.
