Here's some food for thought -- there are quite a few services that are bundled within NetWare which if seperated into network appliances, could offer better revenue streams for both sides (Novell and PC makers). This "network by lego" idea is not as far fetched as it may sound. Think of it...
Let's remember, from a technical standpoint, NetWare was designed and built to be modular. By this I mean that software can be loaded (or unloaded) to offer newer or different functions as needed. For instance, Printing services can be handled by one server by loading the appropriate software modules while another server can handled web requests as another handled file services. Or in a small company, one server can handle all of the above too.
It's really up to the administrator and other factors that determine which services run on what server(s) and why.
So if NetWare is really this modular network operating system, why not distrubute it - literally! Instead of one or two powerful servers (plus backup software and maybe even fail over software/hardware) running all the software, you could purchase smaller, less expensive highly tuned network appliances? You call Dell and purchase this "rack" that includes mounted appliances to handle specific tasks!
Heck you don't even have to redesign NetWare to do this!
You want print services, plug in an NDPS printing appliance.
You want directory services, plug that in as well.
Intranet? Extranet? Website? Plug it in.
Email? No problem.
VPN/Firewall services? Sure.
Network Management Console & software? We've got that too!
ZENworks for Networks and ZENworks for Servers will be the glue that maintains all of this. Either at the remote sites or main company sites, this can work very well. You think I'm kidding? Try this scenario:
You want to add a remote office to your network. Ok, call DELL and configure the network appliances for the services you will host remotely. They build it and ship it. A technican assembles the rack (unless they can ship it pre-assembled), plugs the appliances into the power supplies, plugs the ethernet cables into the right jacks etc and powers it up. The network admin (from the main office) connects to the management appliance in the rack at the remote office and begins configuring the new setup remotely using ZENworks for Networks/Servers.
Sounds too easy...must be a catch....oh yeah, Novell hasn't produced any other network appliances along the lines of ICS. Ok, SecureMe is the next appliance...when will they get on track to test this idea out further?
Hey Paul, make a note...we need to track down someone during BrainShare and see if I'm crazy or not :)
Regards,
Peter J Strifas |
