Tucson, Arizona-based Artisoft Inc’s new licensing agreement with Novell Inc (CI No 2,354), will result in much closer integration between the former’s LANtastic peer-to-peer network operating system and NetWare, as well as a new server-based product for LANtastic based on NetWare 4. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Central to the agreement is that Artisoft has licensed Novell’s NetWare Core Protocols, which will be supported in future versions of LANtastic: this will enable LANtastic network clients to access NetWare 2.X, 3.X, and 4.X servers for network services, giving users the option of installing LANtastic in branch offices or specific departments, whilst maintaining integration with enterprise-wide NetWare installations. The companies say that when the integration has been completed, they will provide certification on interoperability to give customers peace of mind. At present Artisoft is not giving out any more details on exactly what the server-based LANtastic product will consist of, or when it hopes to launch it. However, the move will take the company into previously-uncharted territory, since until now it has concentrated its efforts on its core peer-to-peer market, leaving client-server technology to the likes of Novell. Another part of the alliance will see collaboration between Novell and Artisoft on Artisoft’s recent acquisition of San Jose, California-based Eagle Technology Inc. The companies say that Eagle will continue to supply Novell-licensed and branded Ethernet adaptors, but that they also now intend to expand the existing relationship between the two companies.
