Mission Control for Microsoft identity management

Windows Networking Strategies This newsletter is sponsored by SWSoft Templates for More Efficient Virtualization Management SWsoft Virtuozzo, an OS level server virtualization product, addresses the challenges faced by today's datacenters through its unique template-based approach to software provisioning. Using templates, administrators can consolidate OS and application management so that only a single instance of a software package is required and managed on a physical machine regardless of the number of virtual environments that use the software. Network World's Windows Networking Strategies Newsletter, 07/25/07 Mission Control for Microsoft identity management By Dave Kearns NetPro has just released Version 2.2 of its Mission Control product for Microsoft’s Identity Lifecycle Management service. ILM is the successor to the metadirectory system originally called Via, which Microsoft inherited through its purchase of Zoomit Technologies late in the last century. Microsoft first shipped it as Microsoft Metadirectory Services (MMS) and later rechristened it as Microsoft Identity Information Server (MIIS). <aside> What is it about directory names? Look at Sun, which acquired Netscape’s directory server, renaming it iPlanet, later changing the name to Sun ONE directory server before (I think) settling on Sun Java System Directory Server! </aside> ILM combines the original metadirectory system with certificate and password management, and user provisioning – quite a large piece of the identity business to bite off! It is a complex and complicated system which – if properly maintained – can be a real benefit to your organization. But monitoring, administering and maintaining it can also be an onerous task. Optimize Your WAN: Network World Shows You How In this Executive Guide learn how optimization can supercharge your WAN. Click Here Mission Control was originally introduced as a management package for MIIS. This new version is the first to be fully compatible with the expanded services of ILM Version 1 and enables you to conduct 24/7 health monitoring, configuration and meta-verse change auditing, as well as the ability to backup and restore on the ILM platform. Also included is a new business intelligence module providing trending views and details on key ILM data in order to improve organizational decision-making, management reporting and overall ILM performance. You can examine and dissect the interrelationships of ILM data for insight on past, current and potential future trends, including the impact of introducing new identity systems to ILM, changes to activity type over time, and capacity planning. Mission Control 2.2 features 10 new built-in reports including Management Agent Activity Trend, Management Agent Changes, and Meta-Verse Audit and Performance Statistics. More details are on the Web site where you can also request a free evaluation of the product. If you’re using ILM, you need Mission Control. Editor's Note: We regret to let you know that we will no longer be publishing the Windows Networking Strategies newsletter. The last newsletter will be mailed on Aug. 8. To keep you abreast of Microsoft news, starting the week of Aug. 13, you will begin receiving the Microsoft News Alert newsletter, which mails every Tuesday and Thursday. We thank you for supporting Network World newsletters.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be found at Virtual Quill. Kearns is the author of two Network World Newsletters: Windows Networking Strategies, and Identity Management. Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these respective addresses: windows@vquill.com, identity@vquill.com . Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail. This newsletter is sponsored by SWSoft Templates for More Efficient Virtualization Management SWsoft Virtuozzo, an OS level server virtualization product, addresses the challenges faced by today's datacenters through its unique template-based approach to software provisioning. Using templates, administrators can consolidate OS and application management so that only a single instance of a software package is required and managed on a physical machine regardless of the number of virtual environments that use the software. ARCHIVE Archive of the Windows Networking Strategies Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007