Sun Microsystems and Novell have unveiled new software releases in
a bid to capitalise on emerging Web services standards.
Novell has released Version 8.6 of its eDirectory software,
promising better scalability, new development features, and
enhanced search and backup tools.
Available from today (17 December), eDirectory can create directory
groups automatically according to any given directory attribute,
use Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) queries to run
persistent directory searches, and run data backups while the
directory is still active.
Novell also announced the availability of its eGuide 2.0 Web
application, which lets users establish connections with one
another and access data stored in eDirectory and other LDAP-based
data sources across the Internet.
Finally, Novell revealed its next release of eDirectory, codenamed
Falcon, which is expected to ship in April 2002. The tool will
include Web-based and wireless management features that let users
manage the directory from Web browsers and handheld devices.
Falcon is also expected to support common Web services standards,
enabling customers to use eDirectory as an authentication mechanism
for Web services, according to Novell.
Meanwhile, Sun Microsystems has released a version of its iPlanet
Directory Server that includes a central service for identifying
and authenticating users in the directory.
The iPlanet Directory Server provides a central repository for
managing policies in a network of users. The software is a
component of the iPlanet product line of servers, which is part of
iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions.
Also currently available from Sun, the Access Management Edition
adds a Web-based single sign-on service that allows users to sign
on to the directory and use Web-based applications and services
without having to reauthenticate each time.
Mike Neuenschwander, an analyst at The Burton Group, said Novell's
eDirectory enhancements represent a concerted effort to compete
with iPlanet, adding that support for persistent searches and
dynamic groups was absent in earlier versions of eDirectory.