On the floor of the Macworld Expo, connectivity vendors showcase products that boost the Mac's place on Windows- and Unix-based network systems, including cluster support for Macs, better authentication and new mail server software.SAN FRANCISCO—At the Macworld conference Thursday, enterprise connectivity vendors announced products that add Mac support to Windows- and Unix-based network systems.
Several companies, including GroupLogic, announced cluster support for Macs. Group Logic's ExtremeZ-IP 4.0 is an Apple File Protocol server that allows Mac clients to access the same shares as Windows clients.
The new version will sport an "instant online" feature that enables a server to reboot without indexing. In a cluster, this will allow a client to continue a file copy right through a "fail over," in which one server in the cluster takes over from another.
ExtremeZ-IP 4.0 will accomplish this by eliminating a previous requirement to index a volume at server startup. There is also no index held in RAM, which also allows the server to host an unlimited number of files regardless of the size of server RAM.
ExtremeZ-IP 4.0 will use Kerberos authentication and the Panther Active Directory plug-in to give Mac users a single sign-on.
Group Logic expects to ship ExtremeZ-IP 4.0 before the end of the month.
In a technology preview of Kerio MailServer 6.1, Kerio Technologies added the ability to use iCal to subscribe to events. Mac users already had the ability to access the groupware server package using Microsoft Entourage to sync calendars and contacts. The company said version 6.1 improves Entourage support.
MailServer 6.1 also improves the performance of its WebMail features, which enables users to access e-mail, contacts and schedules with a Web browser.
The company offers Kerio MailServer as a more cross-platform alternative to Microsoft Exchange for mixed Mac, Windows and Linux environments. Kerio said MailServer works with Microsoft Active Directory and Apple Open Directory.
MailServer 6.1 will ship at the end of January. Kerio also said it would ship a Kerio MailServer for Xsan within three months.
Next Page: Stalker Software pitches an Exchange alternative.
Stalker Software announced CommuniGate Pro 5.0, another cross-platform alternative to Microsoft Exchange. The new version will add support of Microsoft Entourage to access the server.
Windows users currently can use Outlook to access the server, which is available for 30 different platforms. The current Mac version allows clients to use Mac OS X Mail and iCal for e-mail and calendaring. A Real-Time Communications version will support VOIP (voice over IP).
Stalker expects to ship CommuniGate Pro 5 this spring.
CryptoCard demonstrated a preview version of single log-on support for Mac OS X with the Crypto-Server authentication server.
Crypto-Server uses an ATM-style protocol to provide the user with a single log-on for computer access. The system works with Kerberos authentication, but adds another layer of authentication at the operating system.
CryptoCard's logon technology will be integrated into the Mac OS X Keychain and will replace the standard Mac log-on screen. The system will support Panther's Fast User Switching, so that multiple users can be logged on at the same time using different, authenticated tokens.
Crypto-Server creates a unique, encrypted password every time the user logs on. Users must insert a smart card similar to an ATM card into a card reader before entering a PIN. CryptoCard offers a variety of card readers. Removing the card ends the authenticated session, locking out other users.
The system plugs into Windows ISS and allows Panther's Apple's Active Directory plug-in to join the Windows domain. Crypto-Server also works with Cisco and Apple virtual private networks, as well as providing secure Web access.
Microsoft is prepping more Exchange ties for its Mac office suite. Click here for more.
The system currently supports Windows clients. CryptoCard will release the single log-on support for Mac OS X in April with version 6.3. Red Hat Linux support is planned for February.
BakBone Software announced that its NetVault 7 server-backup and data-protection solution now supports Apple's Xsan. NetVault first began running on Mac servers last August. In addition to running on a variety of Windows and Unix platforms, NetVault runs on Xserve and Xserve RAID.
The company said the system uses the same user interface on all of the supported platforms. NetVault has a modular structure that provides policy management, triggers and reporting in a variety of data-protection strategies.
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