The Basics
Likewise Open
Likewise Open enables Linux, Unix and Mac authentication on a Microsoft network using Active Directory. A user can now interactively log in to the Linux, Unix or Mac machine using Active Directory credentials, and can access any kerberized services that the non-Windows machine hosts.
This is an open source community project sponsored by Likewise Software. You can download Likewise Open without cost and use it to join Linux, Unix and Mac machines to your Active Directory infrastructure. Or, if you are a developer, you can get involved in making Likewise Open an even better tool for the community.
What it Does
- Likewise Open supports over 110 UNIX, Linux and Mac platforms
- Joins Linux, Unix and Mac systems to Microsoft Windows Active Directory domains
- Authenticates users with a single user name and password on both Windows and non-Windows systems
- Enforces the same password policies for non-Windows users as for Windows users
Is Likewise Open the solution for you?
It is becoming more common all the time for enterprises to use mixed IT environments with Linux, Unix and Mac systems and Windows systems operating side by side. This strategy enables cost effective use of best-of-breed solutions, but it also creates difficulties in managing user identities and controlling access to resources.
Perhaps you are experiencing some of these complexities:
- Your users have separate names and passwords on Linux, Unix, Mac and Windows
- You have concerns about password security, and no good way to enforce password policies
- You are struggling with a do-it-yourself authentication solution using LDAP
If these scenarios sound familiar, then Likewise Open may be just what you are looking for. Likewise Open lets you use Active Directory to authenticate users on over 110 platforms.