In the Unix and Linux world, multiple directory technologies exist for handling user accounts, passwords, system access and usage policy. An ideal solution for consolidation would be to leverage Active Directory for access management beyond Windows. This white paper discusses how organizations can migrate existing Unix directory systems to Active Directory using the Centrify DirectControl suite and Centrify's unique Zones technology.

Abstract Microsoft’s Active Directory and Group Policy technologies are the de facto standards for identity, access and policy management for Windows enterprises. In the UNIX and Linux world, multiple directory technologies exist for handling user accounts, passwords, system access and usage policy. For many IT managers, the management of all these systems is not only a daunting task but, as the number of users and systems grow, the potential for security exposure also increases. Costs also go up substantially as multiple servers and administrators are required for each directory system. Users are less productive as they are forced to remember different passwords and policies for each system they access. All these factors are driving IT managers to evaluate methods for consolidating directories and user account control. Given that most organizations already use Active Directory for Windows networks, an ideal solution for consolidation would be to leverage Active Directory for access management beyond Windows and include UNIX and Linux, the next largest base of systems in most large enterprises. This paper discusses how customers can migrate existing UNIX directory systems to Active Directory using the Centrify DirectControl suite and Centrify’s unique Zones technology.