Novell is working on scaling up its network directory services for internet service providers so that they scale vertically, rather than across distributed networks. Although Novell says NDS is currently used by ISPs, who need enormous scalability concentrated on a single server or a few servers rather than spread across a number of branch offices, which is what the average enterprise generally requires, a Novell spokesperson said. Part of the concern for ISPs, Novell said, is squeezing as much as they can into as little space as possible. Novell is working on a number of ways to tighten up NDS so that it scales better for ISPs, including enhancements to database interfaces. The company is also beta-testing NDS for Solaris, which should ship in the first quarter of 1999.
