Novell confirmed yesterday that the latest version of its NetWare platform, version 6.5, will begin shipping in August.

The firm described the offering as "a key stepping stone as customers prepare for future NetWare versions when all NetWare features will also run on Linux".

Novell recently detailed plans for the launch later this year of Novell Nterprise Linux Services, which extends many of the network services in NetWare 6.5 to Linux servers.

Al Gillen, research director for system software at IDC, said: "This release of NetWare is an integrated product that incorporates web and application server technologies that are increasingly becoming a required element aboard modern operating systems, along with the traditional file and print NetWare services that customers have long relied upon.

"We see NetWare 6.5 as aligning the NetWare family with Novell's Nterprise Linux Services initiative, which together provide Novell customers with choice and flexibility."

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