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Banyan Systems, Inc. is considering changing the flavor of the Unix it uses as the foundation for its native VINES network operating system.
A switch from the current Unix kernel embedded in Banyan's flagship product to a more open version could give users the ability to run VINES an more hardware platforms and take advantage of network features and application development tools not available to them now.
'Whatever alternatives exist out there today, we're investigating them and testing them in our labs," said Pamela Campagna, Novell's VINES product-line manager. "There's a lot to weigh when you're talking about moving to a new revision of Unix."
The list of Unix flavors under consideration includes Novell, Inc. Unixware, IBM AIX, Hewlett-Packard Co. HP-UX and Sun Microsystems, Inc. Solaris. But don't expect it anytime soon. Another Banyan source said the decision will not be made for 12 to 18 months.
While Campagna confirmed that the Unix change for native VINES is an ongoing consideration, she was quick to distinguish between that and the company's plans to roll out products within its VINES for Unix product line.
With the release of VINES for SCO Unix last year, Banyan pulled the security, net management, intelligent messaging and StreetTalk directory services out of native VINES and...