Centeris is now Likewise Software; Announces Availability of Likewise Enterprise 4.0
Release includes significant authentication enhancements plus more than 500 group policies for Linux, UNIX and Mac systems
BELLEVUE, Wash. – December 4, 2007 – Centeris Corporation, a leader in delivering mixed network solutions, today announced the release of version 4.0 of its cross-platform authentication software. The company also announced their new name -- Likewise Software. The change to Likewise builds on the success of the Likewise product brand with large enterprise customers.
“The traction Likewise has received in the enterprise has exceeded our expectations. Likewise is the best choice for enterprise customers with complex networks that are deploying UNIX and Linux in Windows environments. Likewise Software represents unparalleled support of our customers and the highest integrity in all aspects of our business dealings,” said Barry Crist, chief executive officer of Likewise Software.
“RealNetwork’s continued organic growth along with our numerous acquisitions over the past few years have given us a very mixed computing environment and all the associated challenges of managing them as one environment,” said Edmond Mesrobian, Chief Technology Officer of RealNetworks, Inc. “Likewise Enterprise 4.0, will allow us to smoothly integrate our Linux and Unix servers and desktops into our Active Directory infrastructure, assisting us with our compliance efforts, and should significantly reduce our cost associated with user authentication and authorization."
Highlights of Likewise Enterprise 4.0
- Unparalleled Active Directory Group Policy Support with more than 500 Group Policies Likewise Enterprise 4.0 is the only solution with more than 500 Active Directory Group Policies for managing Linux, UNIX and Mac servers and desktops. There are policies for security, authentication and identification, logon, display, message, logging and audit, file system, and tasks. Just a few of the new group policies found in the 4.0 release allow you to specify the DNS servers and search domains on target Mac OS X computers, configure and customize your log-rotation daemon, and send encrypted passwords to third-party SMB servers.
- Linux Desktop Support To support a number of high profile, Linux desktop projects in large financial services organizations, Likewise Enterprise 4.0 includes Linux desktop user configuration settings that can be set from Microsoft Active Directory — allowing you to centrally manage Linux desktops, easily set consistent group policy, and lock down the security of your desktops. You can apply settings for the most popular desktop applications such as Firefox, Evolution, and Banshee.
- Easily Manage Active Directory from a Linux Machine In response to demand from our enterprise customers, Likewise Software has made it possible for Linux and UNIX administrators to manage Active Directory from a Linux machine through the Likewise Administrative Console — a pluggable framework that provides MMC-like functionality and runs on any Linux platform.
- Significant Enhancements in Authentication and Authorization Organizational unit-level deployment and administration requires no enterprise domain administrative privileges for increased flexibility. In addition, Likewise Enterprise 4.0 streamlines the customer’s ability to allow users and groups to access resources by linking cells to share attributes across organizational units (OUs).
“The non-Windows desktop group policy advancements in Likewise Enterprise 4.0 are a significant advancement,” said Guy Lunardi, Senior Product Manager at Novell for SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop. “With thousands of group policies to offer, Novell and Likewise Software are working with some of our largest SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop customers to lock down their desktops with Likewise Enterprise, for increased security and control. The ability to manage SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop machines using existing Active Directory group policies makes it even easier for customers to deploy Linux desktops alongside their existing Windows machines.”
Availability and Pricing
Organizations can download a free evaluation copy of Likewise Enterprise 4.0 at www.likewisesoftware.com/freetrial or by calling 800.378.1330. Likewise Enterprise is priced at $249 per server license and $49 per workstation license.
About Likewise
Likewise® enterprise solutions improve management and interoperability of Windows, Linux, UNIX and Mac systems with easy-to-use software for administration and centralized cross-platform authentication.
Likewise Enterprise provides familiar Windows-based tools for system administrators to seamlessly integrate Linux, UNIX and Mac systems into Microsoft Active Directory. This enables companies running mixed networks to use existing Windows skills and resources, maximize the value of their Active Directory investment, strengthen the security of their network, and lower Linux server TCO.
Likewise Software is a Bellevue, WA-based software company funded by leading venture capital firms Ignition Partners, Intel Capital, and Trinity Ventures. Likewise has experienced management and engineering teams in place and is led by senior executives from leading technology companies such as Microsoft, F5 Networks, EMC and Mercury.
For more information, visit www.likewisesoftware.com.
