Providing network users with a network identity is a fundamental expectation for networking, but it can also become confusing when users need to track multiple identities to use network services. When you add the traditional POSIX users found on Linux systems to the mix, the picture becomes even more complex.
The identity management services provided by Novell Open Enterprise Server (OES) leverage NetIQ eDirectory to simplify and customize identity management to fit your needs:
If you currently store and manage all your users and groups in eDirectory, you can continue to do so.
If you use Novell Client software to provide network file and print services, you can provide seamless file and print access to OES servers by using the NCP server for Linux and iPrint services. For more information, see Section 18.6, NCP Implementation and Maintenance and Section 19.0, Print Services.
If you want eDirectory users to have access to OES services that require POSIX authentication, you can enable the users for Linux access. For more information, see Section 15.2, Linux User Management: Access to Linux for eDirectory Users.
If you need to store and manage users in multiple directories, you can greatly strengthen your organization’s security and dramatically decrease your identity management costs by deploying NetIQ Identity Manager. For more information, see Section 15.4, Using the Identity Manager 4.5 Bundle Edition.