Novell Working with Intel to Develop Virtual Machine for Executing Java Software
Applications on the Intel Architecture
NetFire JVM Expected to be World's Fastest and Most Scalable
PC EXPO, NEW YORK CITY, NY June 17, 1998 Novell, Inc. today
announced it is working with Intel on a Virtual Machine for executing Java software
applications
(JVM) for Novell's NetWare® operating system. This fully compatible JVM from
Novell® is
designed to leverage the performance and scalability of Intel processor-based servers, including
symmetrical multiprocessing (SMP) servers and forthcoming IA-64 Architecture machines.
Novell's goal is
to continue to provide customers with the fastest, most scalable, and compatible implementation
of the
JVM, the software engine that executes applications written in the Java programming language
and directs
them across the enterprise network and the Internet. Novell intends to incorporate the JVM
(code-named
"NetFire") into NetWare in 1999, ensuring users continued access to a premiere network server
platform
for industrial-strength, mission-critical applications.
Novell will license technology from Intel and will collaborate to improve performance and
scalability of the
JVM for Novell's NetWare in order to support transaction-intensive and other mission-critical
applications.
Users of server-based applications written in the Java programming language will benefit through
streamlined software development cycles and increased business productivity through better
access and
management of network information.
The companies will optimize NetFire and its related compiler technology to take full advantage of
Intel
microprocessor features. NetFire will also leverage Novell's high-performance NetWare operating
system.
Novell's NetWare 5 will ship later this summer with the world's fastest JVM as measured by the
industry-
standard VolanoMark benchmark. Novell intends to further increase the JVM performance and
scalability
with NetFire, which will be exclusive to NetWare and compatible with applications targeted at the
initial
NetWare 5 JVM.
"The use of Java technology on the server has great potential, but needs the right environment in
order to
deliver on those possibilities," said Christopher Stone, Novell's senior vice president for strategy
and
corporate development. "The NetFire work being done by Novell using Intel technology will
provide
customers the performance and scalability needed to take advantage of the efficiencies in
application
development and deployment that Java can provide for enterprise and Internet applications."
"With their extensive base of customers running NetWare on Intel processor-based servers and
networking
expertise, Novell is well-suited to enhance performance and scalability on Intel-based servers,."
said Will
Swope, vice president of business desktop marketing, Business Platforms Group, Intel
Corporation. "The
NetFire project complements our overall goal to provide the best performance on the Intel
architecture."
Support for Industry Standards
Novell is committed to a JVM implementation designed in conformance with industry standards.
Applications written for standard JVMs will run on NetFire, and developers will be able to create
applications for NetWare using standard Java technologies and tools. The NetFire JVM will
continue to
allow developers to use Novell's Open Solutions Architecture software development kit
(SDK) to
create Internet applications that utilize Novell Directory Services (NDS), Novell's
industry-
leading directory service, and a range of other intelligent network services allied with the
NetWare
platform.
About Novell
Founded in 1983, Novell (NASDAQ:NOVL) is the world's leading provider of network software.
The
company offers a wide range of network solutions for distributed network, Internet/intranet and
small-
business markets, as well as the network computing industry's most comprehensive education and
technical
support programs. Information about Novell and its complete range of products and services can
be
accessed on the World Wide Web as http://www.novell.com.
Press Contact:
Jonathan Cohen
Novell, Inc.
(408) 577-7268
jcohen@novell.com