Novell Tests NetWare 6.5 Beta

Due for a final release this June, Novell NetWare 6.5 has entered open beta testing, complete with support for popular open source applications such as Apache and MySQL.

Novell began beta testing MySQL under NetWare last year as part of the company's efforts to position the network operating system as a viable platform for Web development. The software package, collectively dubbed NetWare AMP, features PHP and Perl language support.

"NetWare brings customers closer to one Net, where information is without boundaries, and each user has the right tools to do his or her job where and when it needs to be done," said Novell CEO Jack Messman.

Code-named Nakoma, NetWare 6.5 also includes the company's exteNd Java application server, and Novell "virtual office" for organizing business resources via the Web. Novell DirXML enables NetWare users to synchronize information across different platforms using industry standard XML.

"NetWare 6.5 product enhancements increase productivity, expand customers' reach into the market and provide serious savings in management and hardware, while retaining the access, management, reliability and security of the award-winning NetWare 6," said Messman.

The Nakoma beta is available for download free of cost after registering on Novell's Web site. Downloads include two ISO images that must be burned to CDs. Novell asks beta users to send the company an e-mail with opinions on the upcoming release.

Pricing and packaging details of NetWare 6.5 have not yet been announced.