Novell to release libraries to open source community

Novell plans to release an open source version of its software developers kit for building lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) applications.

The networking firm's decision to release its LDAP libraries to the open source community next month is expected to be the first of several such moves. It will also release an open source repository in the near future, according to reports.

Novell will take source code that is already freely available from the industry's OpenLDAP Project and add its own LDAP libraries for C software developers kit. It will then offer the finished product, which is scheduled to ship in March, back to the OpenLDAP Project.

Kris Magnusson, Novell's open source architect, said an enhanced OpenLDAP specification would be more attractive for developers thinking of using it as a client for Novell's Internet based Novell Directory Services (NDS).

But he claimed that Novell would not add proprietary hooks to the networking standard, but would instead "enhance and improve" it to try and make it more attractive to potential users.

For example, he said the company will ensure that OpenLDAP supports Windows and Novell Loadable Modules on top of support for existing Unix and Linux environments. Novell also intends to increase the performance of the code base.

"We are not turning it into a proprietary thing," said Magnusson. "We are making enhancements and improvements to the LDAP libraries, and this will take place in full view of the community."

He said Novell had won the backing of the OpenLDAP Project.