EXHIBIT 32.1

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Jack L. Messman, Chief Executive Officer of Novell, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby certify that, to my knowledge:

(1)The Company’s periodic report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2006 (the “Form 10-Q”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2)The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

/s/ JACK L. MESSMAN

Jack L. Messman

Date: March 10, 2006