Novell Inc and IBM Corp have announced the first fruits of their September 1995 alliance to develop systems for connecting NetWare local networks and host systems using SNA. NetWare for SAA AS/400 Edition, the companies claim, enables users to integrate personal computer app- lications, AS/400 applications and NetWare services into a single heterogeneous environment cost-effectively. The product is based on NetWare for SAA 2.0 and has been dev- eloped specifically for sites with up to 200 users. It consists of a set of NetWare Loadable Modules giving automatic integration with NetWare administration, directory, security and management services. Users have one central point to log into all authorized network services and resources. For sites with more than one AS/400, network administrators can configure any NetWare for SAA AS/400 Edition server in the NetWare Directory Services tree through a single log-in, without needing to log in to each individual AS/400 gateway on the network. According to the firms, network administrators can analyze usage trends and configure, monitor and maintain multiple NetWare for SAA AS/400 Edition servers over local or wide area network connections from their Windows desktop. They can also administer and manage the network through the same network management consoles used to manage NetWare. The product supports 5250 terminal emulators and the full set of services for AS/400 Client Access and personal computer Support applications, such as shared folders or virtual print. In addition, MS-DOS and Windows work stations can connect to NetWare for SAA AS/400 Edition servers using TCP/IP or IPX/SPX protocols over any NetWare-supported topology.
