New Unix Active Directory Software

Likewise Software has released a new version of its open-source authentication software for allowing Linux, Apple Macintosh and commercial Unix-based computers to hook into Microsoft Active Directory controlled servers and networks.  Version 6 of this open-source software speeds the client log-on time and works better in large, complex environments, according to Gerald Carter, director of engineering for Likewise. The upgraded software also comes with an improved service manager and installation manager as well.

When installed on Macintosh, Linux or Unix computers, Likewise Open can allow users to sign onto a network whose access is controlled by Active Directory. The software also includes a management console for administrators.  The client software uses the same protocols that a Windows machine would use to interact with Active Directory, including Kerberos and the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. The software recognizes all the Active Directory policies, such as the restricting of log-ins, the enforcement of password policies and the cataloging of computers to specific domains.

Likewise Software follows the open-core model for releasing Likewise Open, in which the core authentication software is open source, but the company sells an enterprise version of the software with additional management tools.  The enterprise edition has a group policy agent for managing non-Microsoft clients, as well software for auditing and reporting services for logging successful and failed log-ins.  The Likewise Open core is licensed under Gnu Public License (GPL) version 2 and Lesser GPL version 2.