Microsoft Windows Services for NetWare Version 5.0 Enable Easy Integration of Windows 2000 Into Existing Novell Networks
REDMOND, Wash., July 6, 2000 — Microsoft today announced the release of a complete set of interoperability tools and services that will make it easier for customers to integrate the Windows 2000 operating system into existing NetWare-based environments. The new Windows Services for NetWare Version 5.0 (SFN5) includes components that streamline coexistence with or migration to the Microsoft Windows 2000 platform. SFN5 allows customers to build on existing technology investments by leveraging NetWare resources and expertise.
“Windows Services for NetWare Version 5.0 is an important tool to ensure comprehensive interoperability and migration solutions for NetWare customers that want to integrate some or all of their NetWare environment with Windows 2000,”
said Brian Valentine, senior vice president of the Windows Division at Microsoft.
“As increasing numbers of customers choose to adopt Windows 2000 as part of their networks, Microsoft is committed to providing resources that ensure the Windows platform works well with other key platforms and systems in heterogeneous computing environments.”
To streamline the adoption of Windows 2000, Microsoft designed Windows Services for NetWare Version 5.0 with simple, secure integration and migration paths that require little to no retraining for NetWare customers. Windows Services for NetWare Version 5.0 now includes a full range of migration services to easily transfer NetWare data files, directory information and file and print servers to the Windows 2000 Server family of products.
Directory Synchronization
“The components in Services for NetWare will help me more easily and quickly provide interoperability and migration services for my customers with NetWare investments who are deploying and migrating to Windows 2000 Server,”
said Rick Kingslan, a solutions consultant at Rainier Technology Inc.
“The MSDSS tool is a powerful and easy-to-use directory synchronization service that helps my NetWare customers leverage their investment in NDS to help deploy and migrate to Windows 2000 Server and its Active Directory service.”
The two-way data synchronization capability between Active Directory and NDS enabled by Services for NetWare Version 5.0 significantly reduces directory management and simplifies adoption of Windows 2000. Synchronization and/or migration of NDS and NetWare bindery information to Active Directory through Microsoft Directory Synchronization Services reduces directory management to a single point of administration. MSDSS also provides password synchronization capabilities, including a Web-based password administration utility that allows network administrators to change passwords in either Active Directory or NDS for fast and effective password administration.
Secure Data Transfer and Familiar File and Print Server
Using Windows Services for NetWare Version 5.0, data migration to Windows 2000 will be easily transmitted, maintaining a central point of administration for multiple volume and multiple destinations. Directory structures and security permissions of large data files will be maintained when migrating from any version of NetWare to Windows 2000 through the File Migration Utility (FMU) component of Windows Services for NetWare Version 5.0.
The NetWare file and print server emulation software provided in Windows Services for NetWare Version 5.0 reduces the cost and impact of migration by ensuring that Windows 2000 Server will appear like a NetWare file and print server to clients, users and administrators. The resultant consolidated hardware support, simplified field and print server administration and reduced migration cost will provide significant benefits to customers.
Microsoft Windows Services for NetWare Version 5.0 is available as of today for an estimated retail price of $149 with an unlimited client and service license. An evaluation copy is also available for order through the Microsoft Web site.
