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:

      (1)   The Company's periodic report on Form 10-K for the year ended
            October 31, 2004 (the "Form 10-K") 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-K fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Company.

                                      * * *

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

/s/ Jack L. Messman
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Jack L. Messman

Date: January 13, 2005