Novell NetMail

Novell NetMail is an ISP-grade E-Mail package by Novell, Inc. It is designed to deliver scalable messaging and calendaring services, using Internet-standard protocols (e.g. IMAP, iCalendar, POP, SMTP), across a large enterprise, or to a large group of users who are not particularly associated (for example, the user population of a typical ISP). The original name for the product was Novell Internet Messaging System (NIMS). Novell showcases NetMail on its "MyRealBox" website [http://www.myrealbox.com/] . As of September 2006, MyRealBox is not accepting new accounts).

In late February 2007, Novell sold the MyRealBox service and the netmail source code to Messaging Architects, who promises to maintain the free service. Users who do not request transfer of their account to Messaging Architects by March 25, 2007 will have their account deleted. Transfer requests can be made here: [http://www.myrealbox.com/a?.BQ.DDM.ZBwU.d Link] . Messaging Architects has not only promised to maintain the free service but will give users the added benefit of its powerful anti-virus, anti-spam and anti-adware capabilities and increased storage capacity. They also intend on reopening free registration.

Positioning

NetMail is not designed as a group collaboration software, such as Novell's GroupWise, IBM's Lotus Notes / Domino, or Microsoft's Exchange Server. It is not positioned to compete with those products.

Design

Unlike its proprietary counterparts, NetMail is designed around open standards, including LDAP, PKCS, iCal, POP3, IMAP4, SSL, and S/MIME. Because it is standards-based, there is no "native" client. It instead works with any standards-based IMAP4, POP3 or iCal client. The web interface is likewise usable by most web browsers.

Platforms

Like most Novell products, NetMail's server components run atop a variety of platforms, letting the NetMail customer "choose" the platform most appropriate to their environment. In contrast, some competing products attempt to lock their customers into a single platform. NetMail components are available for SUSE and Red Hat Linux, NetWare v5.1 and later, OES-Linux and OES-NetWare, and Windows platforms.

Versions

NetMail is available in the Foundation version, which includes most features. The Advanced version adds collaboration features, and is closer in function to the higher-end collaboration packages. In 2005, Novell launched Hula, an open-source version of NetMail.

ee also

*Hula (software)
*GroupWise
*Open Enterprise Server
*Novell, Inc.

External links

* [http://www.novell.com/products/netmail/ Novell NetMail product homepage]
* [http://www.novell.com/documentation/netmail35/netmail35/data/an0kgbp.html Complete list of RFCs NetMail implements]
* [http://netmail.sourceforge.net/ Open Source Agents for Novell NetMail]
* [http://www.myrealbox.com/ My Real Box NetMail demonstration site]
* [http://www.novell.com/ Novell Home Page]
* [http://www.hula-project.org/Hula_Project Hula project page]