IBM Corp has launched a meta directory server into this already crowded market, claiming the lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP), will not effectively link different directories together for another four to five years.
IBMÆs director of Enetwork software, Edward Harbour, told ComputerWire: The meta directories currently available, such as Isocor and Zoomit do not provide the other integration parts that are necessary to build a complete view of a user – location, connection and security. He said IBM would support MicrosoftÆs Active Directory if only they would make it available. IBMÆs meta directory DB2, has been a standalone relational database until now but the company has included security and connectivity software as part of its e-business strategy.
Harbour said that IBMÆs meta directory server includes a Secureway Software package which has tools for security and connectivity as well as directories. Within Secureway Software is IBM FirstSecure, launched in March, which comprises a firewall, virus protection, PKI certificates and intrusion detection software. This is integrated around the directory through our connectivity software, Harbour explained, LDAP is limited because it requires applications to be in a certain format or language before the directories can be linked. But meta directories can translate between the different systems.
LDAP was originally specified by the Internet Engineering Taskforce (IETF) to tie together information available in multiple directories. According to analysts, global companies can have as many as 190 different directories, including human resource,networking and security directories, each holding different
information about each employee.
IBM will be make further announcements in June on its directory technology which will include support for LDAP for its host integration package and storing data on Java-compliant devices. In October, IBM plans to announce policy administration software for FirstSecure but was unable to give any more details at present.
