QCD's InterStructures plug-ins mind the OS gap

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: NETWORK PRODUCT TEST RESULTS
07/19/05

Dear security.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Managing a Linux server from a Microsoft platform
* Links related to Network Product Test Results
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus:

QCD's InterStructures plug-ins mind the OS gap

By Tom Henderson and Network World Lab Alliance

It might be heresy to try to manage a Linux server from a
Microsoft platform. But that is what QCD Microsystems has
attempted with its InterStructures Microsoft Management Console
(MMC)-based series of applets. With these plug-ins, Linux
services such as DHCP, DNS, SAMBA and Squid Web proxy (and soon
Apache 2.0), are managed from the familiar look and feel offered
by the MMC. Our tests showed that the InterStructures modules
are simple to install, and provide a single, convenient,
drag-and-drop interface to manage a combined Windows/Linux
infrastructure.

The MMC approach makes sense both in centralized and distributed
infrastucture where Microsoft's Active Directory components
live, as Active Directory requires Dynamic Domain Name Service
to be cohesive with other DNS deployments. When branch offices,
private networks or server farms comprise a heterogeneous
deployment, it can be difficult to synchronize DNS.

The same is true when SAMBA, the Linux to Active Directory
proxy, is used as a file sharing method between Windows and
Linux hosts. Linux distribution makers and others have made
applications to control SAMBA in great detail, but these don't
control nor do they address administration and configuration of
Active Directory and its allied services, such as DNS, DHCP and
Internet Information Server. The InterStructures modules flip
the control back to Microsoft platforms, and a user interface
known to almost every Microsoft systems administrator.

The InterStructures modules (all of which are downloaded from
the vendor's site) fall into two categories: Windows-hosted MMC
snap-ins installed on Windows workstation or server used as the
MMC console; and modules that connect with a single host daemon
running on target Linux hosts. We tried three hosts - SuSE Linux
Enterprise Server 9 (SLES9), Red Hat Advanced Server 4 (RHAS4)
and Fedora Core (see How we did it ) - certified by
InterStructures for use with its product.

Installation onto a Linux server requires momentary root access,
and processes run as root or at the level of the daemons they
cover (such as DNS and Squid). The installation instructions are
incorrect but the process is understandable. We had no
difficulties installing the software under RHAS4 and Fedora
Core, but were required to install Perl on SLES9. Once the
configuration modules and core daemon are installed in target
servers, the daemon restarts automatically. Windows-side
installation takes a few moments.

For the rest of the test findings, please see:
<http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2005/071805-qcd-test.html>
_______________________________________________________________
To contact:

Henderson is principal researcher for ExtremeLabs in
Indianapolis. He can be reached at thenderson@extremelabs.com
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Dupont
Reduce Fire Safety Risk in Your Network!

Concerns are rising about the growing number of combustible
cables present in buildings required to service the
ever-increasing demands of IT networks. More workstations are
taxing the infrastructure. These concerns are the thrust behind
new "limited combustible" cables that reduce fire safety risk.
Click here for news, a free demo CD and more. Visit DuPont's
Cabling center today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=108635
_______________________________________________________________
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