Third-Party Report: Centrify
Tom Kemp is not just CEO of Centrify, he is also one of 12 Windows gurus profiled three years ago in Redmond magazine.
Centrify, in essence, allows IT pros to use Active Directory to manage Linux, Unix and Mac computers. The idea is that nearly every shop has Windows Servers and thus has AD. Why not use that knowledge to manage everything else? Microsoft sure doesn't mind since it makes Windows the center of the data universe. Now that it has a few years under its belt, the still young Centrify has a full suite, including two brand new tools. Here's the rundown:
- The suite starts with DirectControl, which is actually required to use the other pieces. DirectControl allows AD to control access and authentication across heterogenous systems.
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DirectAuthorize controls authorization based on roles.
- DirectAudit aids in compliance by tracking and reporting on what users do, whatever system they're on.
- DirectSecure, a new tool, encrypts data and isolates systems from one another.
- DirectManage, another new tool, lets AD manage heterogeneous systems almost as if they're Windows.
Back in its early days, Centrify competed with Centeris. Alleviating market confusion, Centeris is now called Likewise.
Have you checked out Centrify? Shoot your thoughts to [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on April 02, 2010