Novell extends file access to Solaris, Linux

Networking-software maker Novell said Wednesday that it has extended a new file-access feature for its NetWare operating system to Sun Microsystems' Solaris operating system and the Linux operating system. The extension to NetWare, called iFolder, lets a user access and work with a file from anywhere using an iFolder client or a Web browser. A new version of the software also includes Web access from Windows CE and Palm OS-based mobile devices. The iFolder software already supports Microsoft's Windows NT and 2000 operating systems. Novell executives said the new support for Solaris and Linux is reflective of iFolder's potential use among service providers, who could use it to deliver storage and backup services across their networks. iFolder integrates with Web servers, such as Apache and Microsoft's Internet Information Server, obviating the need for a NetWare server to be running on a network, the company said. Separately, Novell released an upgrade to its ZenWorks systems-management software, adding support for mobile devices. The new enhancements are based on technology Novell acquired from Callisto Software last December. --Ben Heskett, Special to ZDNet News