Access controls cross platforms

Spring launch for compliance tools

Cross-platform software specialist Quest Software is preparing to launch a major update to its Vintela Authentication Services (VAS) this spring.

The suite enables Unix and Linux systems to be easily integrated with systems running Microsoft Active Directory so Unix and Linux users and devices can be managed centrally via standard Windows tools such as Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) and Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS).

Dave Wilson, product manager for Vintela, said, “Windows, Unix and Linux systems each have their own management tools and authentication systems, but firms want to integrate them together so all systems can be managed centrally.”

The need to comply with rules such as the US Sarbanes-Oxley corporate governance law is encouraging some firms to migrate from Sun’s Network Information Service Plus (NIS+) to authentication systems with fewer entry points and more centralised architecture that is better for reporting user activity, Wilson said. “The Unix world has had a problem with Sarbanes-Oxley because of the fragmented authentication [of NIS and NIS+]. Firms don’t want multiple identity stores spread on multiple Unix systems throughout the organisation.”

Wilson said many of Vintela’s customers have achieved the first step away from NIS-based authentication. “They have user IDs in Active Directory now, so they have simplified things somewhat. Now they want a full Kerberos infrastructure with smartcards for their Unix systems. With VAS version 3.0, we are now providing a complete NIS replacement including migration with a full set of tools.”

Wilson said the new Vintela tools integrate with Microsoft software so that in many cases the Unix applications do not need modification. “[Most] Unix apps that think they are talking to NIS don’t realise they are actually working with Active Directory,” he added. Wilson said Vintela’s tools suit firms managing many Unix systems.