Some interesting comments from Cisco Customers about Cisco and NDS
Forum nwfusion.talk Cisco and NDS - WHAT'S UP?
Tom Ferris - 03:06pm Jul 28, 1998 EST
The answer .... not much ... YET.
There has been a lot of hype in the press about the strategic partnership between Cisco Systems and
Microsoft Corporation to build directory-enabled networking services. Cisco is currently developing
Cisco Networking Services for Active Directory (CNS/AD) which "integrates knowledge of network
services, policies, and user profiles so applications can easily interact with Active Directory and access
powerful Cisco IOS software networking functionality". For more information see:
www.cisco.com/warp/public/146/may98/7.html. It sounds like Cisco is doing some pretty neat stuff in the
directory space (even though it is based on a technologically inferior directory service). But what good
does it do my organization (or maybe your organization)? We've standardized on Novell Directory
Services and are looking for ways to leverage our directory investment in the near term. If we move to
Active Directory, it won't be until 2001. My thought is that if a group of Cisco customers, who have
implemented NDS, would make their desires known to Cisco management then maybe the company
would respond by offering solutions that leverage a directory that is solid, scaleable, and available today -
and not just through LDAP v.3. For Cisco, this is a great opportunity to provide additional offerings to its
existing customer base.
Click To top to read the thread from the beginning.
(17 previous messages)
Boyd Wilson - 11:05am Aug 20, 1998 EST (#18 of 24)
I would agree with the sentiment of above, Cisco should support NDS, we have over 25K NDS Users in
our Tree, it provides authentication to many services, applications are distributed out of it. Its time that
Cisco should step up and support it, or if someone else does, people might start bailing on Cisco.
There is NO, I repeat NO, other replicated Directory that is as robust and stable as NDS. The thing just
works, and programming for it is not too bad. An ldap interface is not acceptable, because LDAP is quite
far behind NDS.
Do the right thing Cisco, support NDS!
Barry St.John - 08:11pm Aug 20, 1998 EST (#19 of 24)
So now instead of just being overpriced, Cisco will now be overpriced and inferior.
Clearly there is someone with decision authority at Cisco who lacks the business acumen to drive a
technology company.
How else do you explain the actions of a company with such a large base making such a narrow decision?
This is not good for anyone. It's not good for Cisco customers, so it's not good for Cisco. If it's not good
for Cisco, then it can't even be good for Microsoft.
In an era of technology based on "open standards" how can Cisco tie themselves exclusively to a directory
technology that is proprietary, not to mention that has yet to see the light of day?
Ross Ford - 09:14pm Aug 20, 1998 EST (#20 of 24)
I see NDS wherever I go. it is out there and deployed in most large accounts today, and those accounts
are benefiting is terms of ease of administration and scaleability. Tjis is in direct contrast to microsoft
blowing its whistle on a product which does not exist and is unlikely to even make it into NT5.0. Who is
going to touch an untried directory in 1999 with 2000 projects taking the highest priority. Interesting that
the two biggest marketing organisations in their respective sectors should be announcing how they are
going to make the world better with future product. What is new? they have been doing this for years.
Cisco could immediately benefit the 45+ million users who are using NDS today. NDS's extensibility
make it pretty simple to add Router and Switch objects to the directory... Configs could be stored as
properties of the router or Switch object. Rules based synchronisation is already in NDS, so it would be a
cinch to use it for bandwidth on demand and other cost-minimisation schemes. NDS already controls
rights and object access so it would be a cinch to control router and switch administration. SNMP and
trapping can be controlled from within the NDS without having to go touch each router or switch. NDS
already supports MAD when Microsoft eventually gets it done, just so long as MS doesnt screw with the
APIs...
Think about it Cisco, do it now or wait till 2001 till everyone is done with their year 2000 and starts
implementing an inferior Directory. By the way, Novell hasn't been standing still these last 5 years. Go
listen to Schmidt, Stone or Slitz and see where the future is.
CNP, MCNE, CNX Christopher Marini - 02:32am Aug 21, 1998 EST (#21 of 24)
A large chunk of my client base is standardized on Novell NDS and Cisco routers/switches (roughly 6500
users). They all have plans to go to Netware 5 and stay with NDS. So we would love to see a
Cisco/NDS incorporation.
Jose Lobo - 08:16am Aug 21, 1998 EST (#22 of 24)
It's absolutely true that any vendor who adheres NDS will grow in potential clients. We have a huge
number of NDS users in abroad and US. The "Single login" that NDS guarantees is one of the most
desirable features that any network administrator may want in any small, medium or large network.
Besides that there is also the benefit of a unique administration point for all network. So if Cisco goes to
NDS they will make money, and that's what it really matters in business community.
Doug Clower - 08:57am Aug 21, 1998 EST (#23 of 24)
I support over 20,000 nodes among my client base. Most are in a mixed NetWare/NT/Unix environment.
Only one solution allows me to offer seamless integration and management of these clients; NDS. NDS is
the only REAL directory available today that is proven. Active Directory is still in its' infancy and will
assuredly suffer many growing pains once brought to market. Once in the market you can be sure that it
will not offer multi-platform support (AD on NetWare?). It seems ludicrous for any vendor to snub its'
nose at such a vast installed customer base such as NDS. It makes you wonder whether Cisco is acting in
its' own best interest, or Microsofts'.
pete boergermann - 11:30am Aug 21, 1998 EST (#24 of 24)
I am in the process of installing cisco routers and will be upgrading to NetWare 5 when it out. I've called
and asked a rep and the only answer I get is AD. WHY??? Cisco you have some rocksolid Equipment,
now make it work with a with a DS that is rocksolid. |
