Novell Inc is ready with Version 3.0 of its Multi-Protocol Router, the software-only product is the company’s attempt to compete with more conventional hardware-based routing systems. The new version places emphasis on increased protocol support, and slightly late in the day, Novell has also tried to break into the burgeoning market for cut-down branch office routers, with new wide area communications options, and a version pitched specifically at the branch-office market. This version adds support for NetWare version 4.1, the promised support for its new Netware Link Services Protocol (CI No 2,431), as well as Open Shortest Path First support. Support for Internet Packet Exchange-based backbones has also been added to the existing support for Internet Protocol backbones, while also included is an implementation of IBM Corp’s DLSw Data Link Switching protocol for transmitting SNA and NetBIOS traffic across TCP/IP networks. Novell has also now added to users’ filtering options: these now include filtering on a packet basis; filtering out particular services for particular users; or filtering out on a routing basis, says Novell. The new wide area network options have been introduced, according to Doug Kernan, director of marketing for Novell’s Networking Infrastructure division, because there is now no major distinction between the local area network and the wide area network from the perspective of end-users, and because users expect the same access to wide area network resources as to local area network resource. The new BranchLink Router is identical to the Enterprise Router, but comes with just two wide area network links as opposed to the 16 that are included on the latter. Dial-up modem access is provided, while Novell is working with 20 or so unnamed partners on adaptors providing Integrated Services Digital Network and Switched Multimegabit Data Service communications support; these are due to be announced at the same time as the formal launch of the Multi-Protocol Router version 3.0, and in the following weeks. While the MPR 3.0 is scheduled to ship in a couple of weeks, there is no word as of yet on prices for the thing.
