Benefits of Integration

Integrating HP-UX account management and authentication with Windows 2000 benefits system administrators and end-users in three major ways:

Common Authentication

With the integration, both Windows 2000 users and HP-UX users are authenticated by Windows 2000 Kerberos Services. This provides the benefit of common authentication.

Common authentication in a heterogeneous environment is a big advantage. Every user gains system access using the same authentication method. A system administrator can easily enforce login process and password policies across two platforms, but also allows users to use just one password to access all systems. Both system security and usability can improve with common authentication.

Common Data Repository

The integration allows Active Directory to serve as a central data repository for both Windows 2000 and HP-UX account information. This simplifies an administrator’s job tremendously. He/she just has to administer one database for all users and groups, which can significantly minimize the maintenance cost and prevent errors resulting from databases not being synchronized.

Single Point of Account Management

Integrating common authentication and common data repository provides a single point of account management to system administrators. In an enterprise environment with thousands of users, this is very critical to the success of keeping all accounts current. Another benefit is that system adiminstrators can be sure that when a user is added/removed that he/or she is granted/denied access to all systems. A good example is when a person leaves the company. By removing him/her from one database, administrators have removed all access for that operson.