Emeryville, California-based Sybase Inc has announced Sybase SQL Server 10 compatibility with eight versions of Unix operating systems that currently include support for Novell Inc’s IPX/SPX protocols. SQL Server software with native IPX/SPX support is scheduled for availability on AT&T Corp Unix MP-RAS, Digital Equipment Corp OpenVMS and OSF/1, HP-UX, AIX, Santa Cruz Operation Inc Unix, Sequent Computer Systems Inc Dynix/ptx, and Sun Microsystems Inc Solaris. Sybase says it aims to simplify enterprise interoperability by giving personal computer local network users running IPX/SPX direct access to data managed by a Unix-based Sybase SQL Server product. Before now, says the company, in order to interact with Unix-based SQL Servers, personal computer users with IPX/SPX installed for accessing services to the local network had to install TCP/IP on their client systems. By providing plug-and-play functionality, the company says it will reduce users’ maintenance, installation overhead and need for software on the network to perform protocol translations in order to make Unix-based database servers accessible on a local network of personal computers. Sybase’s SQL Server software with native IPX/SPX support is available now under HP-UX and is scheduled for availability under the other Unix implementations by the end of the year – apart from OSF/1 on DEC’s Alpha, which won’t be ready until the first quarter of next year. Prices were not released. Meantime Sybase and its partner of three year’s standing, Novell, have launched SybaseWare, intended to create an integrated client-server networking and database environment. According to the firms, it will comprise SQL Server 10 database, NetWare or UnixWare operating systems, an open client interface, server monitor for Windows, server manager for Windows, and a back-up server. The offering will not be fully ready until the end of next year, say the companies; no prices yet.