Novell on Linux FAQ

Q1: What services does Novell offer for Linux?

A: Novell has ported eGuide, Novell iFolder®, NMAS™, DirXML®, ZENworks® for Servers and eDirectory™ to the Linux platform and they are all available today.

For more information, see www.novell.com/linux/nterprise_linux_services_2.html

Q2: What about NetWare®? Are you stopping development on it?

A: Absolutely not. Novell will continue to enhance and support NetWare, while ensuring that its NetWare and Linux offerings easily co-exist. Interested NetWare customers gain a new platform option going forward, as Novell will provide them the necessary tools and support to adopt Linux with the same level of security, sophistication and reliability they have always received from running NetWare. This is the future path for Novell customers. It's all about choice. You can run your services on whichever platform you are comfortable with.

Q3: What is Lintel?

A: Novell's customers are demanding sophisticated and supported network services on commodity hardware and operating systems. "Our customers have spoken," according Novell vice chairman Chris Stone, "and the commodity operating system our customers want is Linux running on Intel-Lintel."

Q4: How committed is Novell to supporting the open-source community?

A: In order to be fully engaged with Linux a vendor must demonstrate commitment to the open-source community as well. We plan to engage at a variety of levels.

We have developed a collaboration site called Novell Forge [ http://forge.novell.com/modules/news/ ] for the collection, distribution, and as a focal point for the management of open-source initiatives. Novell and community technologies will be hosted on the site.

We have identified (and continue to identify) several products and technologies for release into the open-source community. These are products and technologies with significant potential value add to the community now and down the road.

We have established an open-source review board inside the company to promote open source and ensure adherence to open-source principles and potential licensing issues.

The Forge site will also host developer and system tools as well as resources to assist in the training initiatives.

Q5: Is Linux really free?

A: Developed under the GNU General Public License, the source code for the Linux operating system is freely available to anyone. While this doesn't mean that Linux is free, it does mean that Linux, in all of its assorted distributions, offers a low-cost alternative to other operating systems.

Q6: What do you mean when you say Linux is lean?

A: Owing to to the efficiency of the kernel and lack of GUI when running as a server, Linux requires less system resources than required for most operating systems. Consequently, you can run Linux on 386 and 486 PCs—much less processing power than other operating systems require.

Q7: What if I'm using Solaris? Can you help me migrate?

A: Our education, support, and professional services teams can facilitate the migration to Nterprise™ Linux Services from Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, etc., and our hardware partners (IBM, Dell, HP, etc) will engage with us to help with consolidation of the hardware platforms. The installation and management of Nterprise Linux Services should be a no-brainer for most Unix shops, and the economics of a Lintel-based infrastructure are compelling when compared to Sparc/Solaris, etc.

Q8: What courses will I need to take to prepare for the CLE certification?

A: Novell recommends that you take the LPI courses that prepare you for the Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) level 1 to obtain the baseline knowledge that will best ready you for the course on Novell Services for Linux. To find a Novell Training Service Partner offering Linux LPI training near you, go to www.novell.com/training/linuxpartners.html

The Novell Services for Linux course will then build on the LPIC level 1 information by teaching you to install, configure, and manage these services. Hands on labs will also be part of the curriculum. To register for the Novell Services for Linux course with an early-bird 50% discount, go to www.novell.com/registernow

For more information about Novell CLE certification, see www.novell.com/linux/linux_cert.html

Q9: With all of the IT certifications now available, why is Novell adding to these numbers with the Novell Certified Linux Engineer?

A: The Linux OS is experiencing explosive growth, and in these tough economic times, it is providing companies a viable low cost option as an operating system. Novell builds on that viability by offering services that make Linux a powerful solution for any enterprise. To maximize this power and to make it a reality you need individuals with the expertise to administer, support and troubleshoot this combination. The Novell Certified Linux Engineer [ http://www.novell.com/linux/linux_cert.html ] brings together the knowledge needed to support both the OS and the Services to create the ideal Linux solution.

Q10: Will Novell use standard exam or practical exam to test for the CLE certification?

A: Novell will test using a practical exam which means that everyone who receives the CLE certification will have proven their proficiency by successfully passing a hands-on test of their knowledge. Every CLE will be able to say that they have the knowledge AND the skills to take on the Linux OS and the Novell Services that run on it.

For more information about certification, see www.novell.com/linux/linux_cert.html

Q11: When will the Novell course and exam become available?

A: The course will be available in November 2003 with the exam to follow in December. To register for the Novell Services for Linux course with an early-bird 50% discount, go to www.novell.com/registernow

For more information about certification, see www.novell.com/linux/linux_cert.html

Q12: With the new Novell Certified Linux Engineer Novell recommends the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) level 1 certification - why this recommendation?

A: LPI is a vendor neutral certification that tests the knowledge you need to be well prepared for the Novell Services curriculum.

Q13: I understand that the current Novell Services run on Red Hat Linux [ http://www.redhat.com/ ]. I hold the Red Hat certification. Can this be used in place of the LPI certification recommendation?

A: There is no vendor-specific prerequisite for the Novell CLE. However, the Red Hat training matches closely to the objectives tested by LPI.

Q14: Where can I get the training I need to pass the LPI exams?

A: There are a number of vendors who offer curriculum for the LPI certification. To find a Novell Training Service Partner offering Linux LPI training near you, go to www.novell.com/training/linuxpartners.html

Q15: I currently hold the Certified Novell EngineerSM (CNE®) [ http://www.novell.com/training/certinfo/cne/index.html ] certification. How is Novell going to make getting the CLE less cumbersome for me given my past efforts and knowledge on Novell products and services?

A: Novell acknowledges your past efforts and values the knowledge you have obtained on our products and services. To reward you, Novell will be offering a free CLE practical exam for all CNE holders who upgrade their certification to NetWare 6 by 31 October 2003.

Copyright 2003