Identity Manager justification 1

[LawnBoy]

I know this subject probably belongs in the eDirectory forum, but there's so little traffic there and I need as much input as I can get. Let me describe my situation a bit:

I run a small LAN (eDirectory, not a single NT domain in the shop) connected to a fairly large WAN composed of many NT domains. It has been decided that the entire WAN will convert to a single AD forest, and tier 1 helpdesk will be run from a central location.

Obviously, I would like to continue running my file, print, email, backup, and desktop mgmt services on Netware. IDM looks to be my only hope, it'll let the AD-centric helpdesk set user passwords. As far as I can tell, it would not pass AD policies on to my 100 or so users, but that's a much lesser battle than the helpdesk arrangements.

So we need to sell IDM as more cost effective than rip-and-replace with AD (apparently quality of service is not a consideration). Does anybody have any good references or links to help us with the cost analysis? Whitepapers describing other successful IDM/AD integrations would be most appreciated. I'd also like to find a good 'executive overview' of IDM.

Any help would be most appreciated, I may be fighting for my job here...

 

[LawnBoy]

Nothing? Free beer (as in gpl) for any material...

 

[marvhuffaker]

We have some openings..

http://www.redjuju.com/company/novelljobs/index.htm

A full blown IDM implementation is a tough sell for a small shop. Especially when the only motivation is to connect to what is being dictated as the long term solution. If you already have OES , you should have an IDM Bundled edition that gives you AD to EDIR connectors out of the box. Maybe it's bundled with NOWS, not OES. Gotta check on that. So there should not be any extra cost of software, just the cost or time to implement the connection and setup the policies.

As another option, you may want to look at a product from Omni called eControl. It has web based help desk management functions that work with AD and EDIR. Regardless of whether you have IDM or not, this is a great way to give the helpdesk the ability to do their job, but you don't give away the farm to them.

http://www.omni-ts.com/web-management/

Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[LawnBoy]

Thanks, but I don't have any Novell certs. Maybe I should look into getting some. Besides, I'm only 8 years from a full early retirement here (I can start collecting 11 years early if I make it).

I've got NW 65. sp4b running, it calls itself OES... but I'm not finding a bundled IDM anywhere.

3rd party helpdesk software is no help in this situation. They're not going to run special software just to meet my needs, that's the whole point of the consolidation.

Time to call my account rep and panic on him...

Thanks Marv.

 

[marvhuffaker]

The question is how are you licensed? I know it says OES. but did you buy NetWare 6.5? Or did you buy OES? That's the key. Do you have upgrade protection (maintenance?) If so, you should have OES and everything included.

There was a dirXML starter pack in NW6.5. I'd stay away from that. If you have purchased OES, you have the IDM bundle edition.

http://www.novell.com/products/openenterpriseserver/managementservices.html

Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[LawnBoy]

We bought NetWare. We do have an MLA, but I'm not sure what all it covers. My account rep will be able to tell me.

 

[LawnBoy]

It looks as though I have lost the battle. Excuse me if I sob just a little over the loss of such an excellent NOS.

Any suggestions on some good AD reference books? </rhetorical>

 

[terry712]

mark minasi's books are the best one's

bit of a commute for me marv

 

[marvhuffaker]

I've never really understood why companies make decisions down vendor lines like that. Both can play nicely together, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Take the best components from both rather than lock into one vendors solutions, good or bad.

Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[LawnBoy]

'Vendor lines' is exactly the case here. I lose it all, Netware, Groupwise, Zenworks.

I'm told that my job is secure, but they're going to hire an MS goon. I can read the writing on the wall, guess I'll go back to the vertical market specialty systems where I came from. Same company, just different duties.