Novell Launches New Certifications to Promote Linux Adoption

• Novell's focus on practical examination ensures high level of competency of new Novell Certified Linux Engineers
• Novell's patent-pending Practicum technology leads the IT training industry in skills assessment
• Novell offers initial certification on SUSE LINUX enterprise distribution

Waltham, MA — Feb. 02, 2004 — Novell announced today two programs to ensure that customers and partners can obtain high quality technical expertise to support Novell's Linux-based solutions. Novell launched its Certified Linux Engineer (CLE) program, including the CLE Practicum exam, and the SUSE® Certified Linux Professional certification, which recognizes expertise on the SUSE LINUX distribution.

Both programs are designed to increase the base of technical knowledge on Linux and Linux-based solutions in the market today, giving enterprise customers and partners the confidence they need to deploy Linux strategically.

"Linux is the fastest growing server operating environment and Novell is making a significant commitment to driving Linux into the enterprise," said Bob Couture, vice president for worldwide services for Novell. "For enterprises to adopt Linux, and Novell® Linux solutions, they need to know that there's a pool of expertise they can tap to install and manage those Linux environments, whether through their internal IT staff or through a trusted partner. The Novell CLE and SUSE Certified Linux Professional certifications, which focus on developing real hands-on capabilities, will give customers this confidence."

The Novell CLE requires a core understanding of Linux, and Novell strongly recommends candidates obtain the level of knowledge required for the widely recognized Linux Professional Institute Certification Level I (LPIC-1). Competency in the objectives included in the LPIC-1 certification is required in Novell's Practicum exam for the CLE. Novell and its training partners will offer an intensive five-day course on Novell Nterprise™ Linux Services, which delivers file, print, messaging, directory and management services on Linux, to provide training on installing, configuring, and troubleshooting those services. Finally, candidates will need to pass the Practicum CLE examination to test real competency and skills operating in Linux and Novell Nterprise Linux Services environments.

"Clients want to be assured that staff, consultants and partners involved in their Linux adoption are competently trained and certified. Our CLE exam is no 'paper certification'," said Dan Veitkus, head of worldwide training services for Novell. "CLE candidates must demonstrate they can handle practical challenges on Linux and Novell Nterprise Linux Services by completing randomly selected scenarios requiring the resolution of a given problem or process, all within a specified time period. Our patent-pending Practicum technology enables us to challenge students to demonstrate that they have not only learned the concepts taught in our courses, but can practically apply the knowledge they have acquired in live environments."

The SUSE Certified Linux Professional (SCLP) is based on the LPIC-1, with enhancements. While the LPIC-1 checks basic distribution-independent Linux skills, candidates for the SCLP also need to show expertise in SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server-specific issues that are not covered by the LPI exams. This includes the SUSE administration tool YaST and various standard services of SUSE LINUX Enteprise Server (such as the CUPS print server). The exam tests basic skills in connection with the configuration of various SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server services. LPIC-1-certified candidates who pass the SUSE LINUX exam are awarded the title SCLP.

For additional details on Novell's Certified Linux Engineer program, please visit http://www.novell.com/training/certinfo/cle/index.html. For more details on the SUSE Certified Linux Professional program, please visit http://www.suse.com/training/certification.

Availability
The Novell CLE will be available at Novell's annual BrainShare® conference the week of March 22, 2004 and through global partners in April 2004. The SUSE LINUX exam for the SCLP will also be available in late March 2004.

About Novell
Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell Nsure), Web application development (Novell exteNd™) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise™), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). Active in the open source community with its Ximian® and SUSE® LINUX brands, Novell provides a full range of Linux products and services for the enterprise, from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net - a world without information boundaries - helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com/. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.

Novell and Ximian are registered trademarks; Nsure, exteNd and Nterprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SUSE is a registered trademark of SUSE LINUX AG. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.