NOVELL, NETWORK ASSOCIATES TEAM UP ON ADVANCED NETWORK VIRUS PROTECTION.

Networking software maker Novell Inc. has just announced a partnership with anti-virus software giant Network Associates Inc. to provide network solutions with integrated virus protection. Under the deal, Network Associates' advanced anti-virus software will ship with the newly announced NetWare

The integration of Network Associates' security technology with Novell's network management components is expected to further ease the maintenance of combating viruses for Novell clients. Customers will be able to use Novell's networking solutions without having to install and configure a separate application or dedicate resources to acquire and manage security features.

"This partnership with Network Associates is part of our ongoing, extensive effort to meet customers' growing security needs as they extend mission-critical applications and information to the Internet," says Christopher Stone, senior vice president of strategy and corporate development at Novell. "As computer viruses become a growing threat to the benefits of open networking technologies, we want to ensure our customers obtain maximum protection of their most valuable IT investments."

"With this relationship, the company will expand protection into the NetWare environment, helping IS managers protect large NetWare installations, says Eric Hemmendinger, an analyst at the Aberdeen Group. "Novell customers can now get first-class protection against viruses from existing Novell distributors, providing a win-win situation for Novell customers, Novell and Network Associates."

Customers will be able to purchase a one year subscription of Network Associates' NetShield from Novell for $100 for five users. Additional pricing configurations are available for Network Associates' Virus Scan and Group Shield products.

NetShield and VirusScan will be available with NetWare for Small Business 4.2, which is scheduled to be available in Q4. Availability of the Network Associates anti-virus software with other specific Novell products will be announced as they ship, the two firms say. n