Likewise Software Integrates VMware with Active Directory

Network integration/authentication software specialist Likewise Software is integrating its technology with the vSphere private cloud computing platform. Through a technology licensing agreement, vSphere users will be able to manage privileged user access with Microsoft Active Directory.

As a result, Likewise says large enterprises will now have a scalable means to improve authentication and access control in virtualized environments to help meet IT security audit requirements. Thus, vSphere users will be able to leverage their existing investments in their Windows environments while providing additional security for their virtual environments.

Likewise is a member of the VMware Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) program, meaning Likewise software can be directly integrated and included with vSphere, rather than simply added on later as a third-party solution. With the increasing sophistication, size and scope of virtual enterprise architectures, enterprise users can no longer simply rely on add-ons and fixes to scale access control as their virtual environments continue to grow exponentially.

Rather, today’s virtual enterprise users need to know when they select a platform that it can be seamlessly expanded and upgraded to meet increased need for controlling user access and authentication. If the platform provider does not have the ability to provide this type of scalability in-house, they must offer integrated technology from a partner in the initial product to ensure maximum flexibility and adaptability.

As a platform vendor, VMware realizes its customers need to leverage existing security infrastructure for their virtualized environments. Fully integrating Likewise technology into vSphere is one way VMware is helping to meet the demand its enterprise-scale customers have to manage their access controls.