Quest Software announced that they have signed onto Microsoft’s program for server protocol interoperability, a program that was founded after a decision by the European Union. This program allows competitors and partners to access Microsoft’s protocol specifications so that they can interoperable with Microsoft server technology.
Readers of my blog (I know there’s a few of you!) will have read a recent post where I talked about MOM and SMS and how you can use 3rd party software to manage heterogeneous platforms, not just the obvious Microsoft products. The 3rd party I kept mentioning was Quest. They’ve got a range of products, some resulting from the Vintela acquisition, for integrating UNIX and LINUX into the Windows network and Microsoft management products.
This is sure to develop in really advantageous ways for customers of Linux/UNIX and Microsoft server technology. As much of a Microsoft-phile that I am, I know that UNIX and Linux do have a deserved place on the network. I would just love to see them being integrated into what I believe are best of breed products, i.e. Active Directory, SMS and MOM.
Already, you can integrate these platforms into Microsoft management technologies, e.g. Active Directory for single-sign on by leveraging Kerberos and schema extensions. I can’t wait to see what else Quest will come up with now they will have full access to know how Microsoft’s server protocols work.
Disclaimer: I’ve not personally seen or implemented Quest or Vintela products … but their reputation is superb.