Cisco, Microsoft Launch Industrywide Initiative for Directory-Enabled
Networks
More Than 20 Companies Support Initiative for Linking Users to
Network Services
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the Microsoft(R) Professional Developers
Conference, Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT)
announced an industrywide initiative to integrate directory services and networks, enabling the
development of rich network applications that will work with offerings from a variety of network
and directory vendors. This is the latest in a series of agreements between the two industry
leaders, aimed at accelerating the deployment of next-generation, network-based applications.
The draft specification for directory-enabled networks will extend the scope of the existing Cisco
and Microsoft directory services initiative to all network equipment vendors, directory service
vendors, Internet service providers (ISPs) and independent software vendors (ISVs). This
initiative is supported by more than 20 companies, including 3Com Corp., Ariel Corp., Ascend
Communications Inc., Berkeley Networks, Cabletron Systems Inc., Compaq Computer Corp.,
CompuServe Network Services, Comtrol Corp., ConXion, Digex Inc., Digi International, Digital
Equipment Corp., ECI Telematics, Fore Systems Inc., GridNet International, Hewlett-Packard
Co., Intel Corp., MSN(TM), The Microsoft Network, Net Access, New Oak Communications
Inc., Packet Engines Inc., RAScom Inc., South Carolina SuperNet and SwitchSoft Systems Inc.
``The real power in computing lies in harnessing the power of the network,'' said Ed Kozel, senior
vice president and chief technology officer of Cisco. ``This initiative is the critical link in delivering
next-generation intelligent networks and applications. Cisco and Microsoft share a common vision
of unleashing the potential of the network by jointly developing open technologies that embrace the
best ideas the industry has to offer and that protect customers' investments.''
As a result of the announcement last May, Cisco and Microsoft have jointly developed a draft
specification and reference implementation to provide advanced management of network
elements and services. This week, Cisco and Microsoft demonstrated the ability to provide
advanced network services on a per-user basis through Active Directory in the Windows NT(R)
Server network operating system version 5.0 and a Cisco Powered Network(TM).
The draft directory-enabled networks specification is the first to integrate user profiles,
applications and network services. This integration is achieved by providing a standard schema for
storing network state and an extensible information model for exposing network information. This
work complements the Desktop Management Taskforce (DMTF)-sponsored Common
Information Model (CIM) specification and uses LDAP as the core access protocol. Such
integration delivers optimum bandwidth utilization, policy-based management, lower total cost of
ownership, and a single point of administration of all network resources. It also enhances the
services that end users can rely on, regardless of their physical location. Active Directory in
Windows NT Server 5.0 will be the first directory service to include support for this initiative, and
Cisco Systems is the first networking vendor to provide a reference implementation, incorporating
its network devices and the Cisco IOS(TM) network services. Together, these efforts provide
developers with a platform to begin developing a new class of intelligent networked applications
immediately.
``This is a huge win for customers. For the first time, they will be able to benefit from a unified
network model for integrating users, applications and network services,'' said Jim Allchin, senior
vice president, personal and business systems group at Microsoft. ``This draft specification will
spur the development of powerful applications that will simplify the management of networks and
give users personalized services.''
As part of the initiative, the companies released the draft specification to enable the development
of personalized network services on a per-user and per-application basis. Cisco and Microsoft
are working with other companies to develop this specification further and plan to host a design
preview in the fourth quarter of 1997 as part of an open design review process, the results of which
will be submitted to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for publication.
Cisco Systems Inc. is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information
are available at cisco.com.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The
company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each
designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of
the full power of personal computing every day.
NOTE: Microsoft, MSN and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Cisco Powered Network, Cisco IOS
and Cisco Systems are trademarks and Cisco and the Cisco logo are registered trademarks of
Cisco Systems Inc. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their
respective owners. The Microsoft Network is operated by Microsoft Corp. on behalf of Microsoft
Network LLC. |
