Did you think we here at Micro Focus were going to take a break after our recent big software release of ZENworks 11 SP4? Think again!

As it turns out, we are just getting warmed up.

Now, we are looking ahead to our next big software release: Open Enterprise Server (OES) 2015, set to launch in September.

What is OES 2015? It’s a platform that you can use to distribute shared network services across your enterprise. These services primarily relate to directory, storage, printing and clustering functions, among others. OES 2015 is an enhanced version of the widely popular OES 11 platform and the latest in the OES series.

Here is a preview of some of the changes you can expect to see in OES 2015:

Storage Services (NSS) and Active Directory: In the past, NSS (Storage Services) was reserved for eDirectory users only. In OES 2015, however, all Active Directory users and environments, as well as eDirectory users will be able to utilize NSS simultaneously. You will also have a unified view of all NSS configuration settings across pools and volumes, which will make it easier to customize software.

Dynamic protocols: Protocol security and functionality were top of mind while creating OES 2015. We’re most excited about the addition of NSS support for SMB version 2 as well as expanded storage for NetWare Core Protocol (NCP) and Novell Client Support. Both will now support up to 8 ExaBytes of storage. Further, CIFS NTLMSSP and Kerberos support will also be available for enhanced end-user authentication for eDirectory and Active Directory respectively. Additional changes include real-time status updates for CIFS NT Notify Support as well as shared authorization data between CIFS and NSS. This eliminates the need to use in-memory trustee copy.

Flexible printing: Many of our end users expressed frustration at not being able to integrate iPrint with Google Chrome, as printer installation was only available on Internet Explorer and Firefox. The new browser-independent printer installation feature will correct this problem, thus making iPrint more flexible. Accounting support will also be available for iPrint Direct Printers.

New software licenses: You’ll find a more customer-centric approach to user licenses in OES 2015. Our new inactive user license, for instance, will consider end users who do not log in for at least 120 days to be inactive, and so they will not be tallied in active user counts. A limited use OES license is also available for users looking to run Print, File and Domain services on Windows without having to worry about scaling user counts exceeding granted entitlements.

Other exciting changes include the addition of DNS names on installation and upgrade paths, which will eliminate confusion during software installation and migration and while performing daily maintenance. Transfer ID migration will also support Common Proxy user migration.

What’s more, it’s now possible to search and view all DFS junctions and export lists in DFS Junction Management. And with the Novell Identity Translator, which automates Linux User Management (LUM) functions, you can streamline LUM administration tasks.

Last but certainly not least, users will no longer be restricted to 8 Terabytes of storage. Get ready for 8 Exabytes of storage in OES 2015.

We will also be running a special promotion on OES 2015, too: You can receive four extra cluster nodes for no extra cost by purchasing maintenance on the nodes at list price while deploying or upgrading OES 2015 Cluster Services setup. This promotion is only applicable if all of the nodes in your cluster are running OES 2015. Stay tuned…

Thanks for reading!