Novell has announced the availability of Novell Single Sign-on -- a new directory-based software solution that simplifies the end-user computing experience by eliminating the need for users to remember and input multiple passwords. This new product -- using a single, existing Novell Directory Services (NDS) password -- allows users to log in to the computer network only once and access a variety of applications across multiple platforms. This breakthrough solution is made possible through NDS, which reduces the costly and time-consuming task that all companies incur for password management and password-related calls to their helpdesks.
Network administrators at large companies have long yearned for a single sign-on solution, but security experts have been leery of the danger of consolidating a user`s passwords in one place. That is one of the elements that makes this solution unique. Unlike competing products, Novell Single Sign-on ensures a high level of security for password management. Each user`s security profile, which includes log-in credentials and access rights information, is centrally located in NDS.
This means the user is the only person authorised to access his/her password information. All password and user credential information is stored using a unique, patented Novell technology called "SecretStore." NDS automatically verifies a user`s identity. The user can then add, modify, view and/or delete his/her profile information using a simple graphic utility interface (GUI). A user can retain complete control of his/her passwords and the assurance that he/she is the only person with access to his/her sign-on identity.
As more applications require users to have passwords or other credentials such as "smart cards," X.509 certificates or tokens as a means of access, single sign-on solutions are becoming increasingly valuable. Novell has worked with several companies to enable single sign-on for widely used applications that run in mixed network environments.
This first release of Novell Single Sign-on includes support for Lotus Notes, Entrust applications, PeopleSoft applications and host emulation products from Attachmate and Wall Data. Novell will continue to work with numerous companies to provide single sign-on access to a variety of applications, as well as data and applications stored in mainframe computers. Novell will be providing frequent, Web-based product releases with application updates for download at http://www.novell.com/products/sso.
"Novell Single Sign-on saves our customers time and money, and gives them the peace of mind that comes with knowing their personal information and identity on the network is completely secure and under their control," said Novell product and SE manager James Stewart. "Single Sign-on is really the pinnacle of networking that customers have been waiting for. This product is so simple to use and easy for developers to incorporate in many applications, users will immediately see the benefits of logging in once and remembering only one password."
In addition to releasing the Single Sign-on product, Novell includes a set of free Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for all third-party developers. These easy-to-use APIs make it convenient for companies to quickly enable their in-house custom applications for single sign-on with NDS. Companies can then easily deploy the solution to each user`s desktop using ZENworks, Novell`s product for network software distribution.
Novell Single Sign-on does not require developers to modify their existing enterprise applications. Developers simply add a single file to existing desktop clients in the network, which may include MicrosoftWindows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT clients.
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