Thor poses Open Source threat to Windows 2000

1999-07-31

Timpanogas Research Group (TRG) announced yesterday its plans for an open source, NDS-compliant directory for Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Linux. This is significant, not only because of the direct impacts it could have on the directory-based world. TRG have a reputation for building bridges between NetWare, Windows and Linux. Despite a “professional” relationship with Novell, TRG have a reputation of developing products which can be used to migrate away from Novell. It would seem that, this time, the company is turning its sights towards Microsoft.

Clearly the move to implement NDS-compliant, open source directory software is a blow to Microsoft. The first versions of Windows 2000 will not contain a fully functional version of the much-touted (and awaited) Active Directory software which, despite being announced over two years ago, will still miss the initial Windows 2000 release deadline. Administrators wanting to make full use of the directory functionality will have to wait for the Janus upgrade to the operating system, unless they are prepared to consider the increasingly attractive option of adopting (or continuing with) an NDS-based solution.

Companies such as TRG are not the only ones to benefit from Microsoft’s absence. Novell itself is focusing its efforts on its directory products (as reported in IT-Analysis.com earlier in the month. In partnership with Compaq, Novell have also released a “directory appliance”: it is products such as these which will make moving to an NDS-based solution increasingly attractive.

So what of the indirect impacts? Announcements such as these are indicators of where the open source community is moving, away from its traditional home ground in the academic community. TRG are a commercial organisation whose motives are driven by profit, loss and a desire to get at the big guys. In giving away software, TRG are increasing the chances of its adoption but also are launching an attack on the profit margins of Novell and Microsoft. This trend is unsustainable but may be seen as a David-against-Goliath tactic in the short term: as the giants battle it out, they would do well to watch what the little people are doing.

(First published 31 July 1999)