Active Directory Federation Services for Non-Microsoft Platforms

Windows Server 2003 R2 will support Web-based single-sign-on and federated authentication using Active Directory as the backend. Centrify aims to enable the technology on non-Microsoft platforms.

Speaking at Tech Ed Europe, Centrify said it will deliver DirectControl, which is a federated identity solution that works on Apache as well as J2EE application servers such as IBM WebSphere, BEA WebLogic, JBoss, and Tomcat without the need for additional federated identity software.

Windows Server 2003 R2 is currently in beta testing and will provide enhancements such as improved NFS file system support, a new file server role for easier configuration, identity management for UNIX environments, a new subsystem that will allow UNIX-based applications to be recompiled and run on Windows, as well as many other new features. Centrify plans to release DirectControl as soon as Microsoft releases Windows Server 2003 R2.