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Virtual Directories Take Hold

Posted by Michael Caton on April 11, 2007

Tags: authoritative application,  authoritative data source,  data consolidation,  data synchronization,  directory synchronization ,  identity management,  metadirectories,  metadirectory,  virtual directories,  Access and Authentication,  Antivirus,  Data Networking & Management,  Data Protection,  Database Management Services,  Directory Server,  Directory Services,  Enclosures,  Hotspots,  IDE,  Identity Management,  Java,  Linux,  Other,  Remote Access Software,  Security Standards,  Servers & Storage,  Smartphones,  Software,  Software and Web Development,  Technology,  Unified Communications & VoIP,  User Interface,  Virtual directory,  WLAN Security,  Windows,  Wireless

Channel: Data Protection, Networking & Mgmt, Other, Servers & Storage, UC & VoIP, Wireless

Virtual directories let organizations gather information from many data sources and present that information from one interface, securely. They give companies access to existing information without having to re-create it or develop a new app. New open-source options could bring the cost of virtual directories within reach of small companies. Radiant Logic was one of the first vendors with a virtual-directory product. MaXware, Persistent Systems and Symlabs, other early-to-market vendors, focus primarily on virtual directories and ID management. BMC Software, CA and Novell also play in this arena. Microsoft and Oracle have virtual-directory offerings as part of their directory- and ID-management products. Two open-source groups, MyVD Virtual Directory and Safehaus Software Foundation, are attempting to gain a foothold in the arena. Surprisingly, IBM doesn't have a true virtual directory, but it does have directory-synchronization products and partners with vendors such as Radiant Logic and Symlabs. Virtual directories give companies effective ways to access data without undertaking a metadirectory or application-integration project that can lead to data synchronization and infrastructure problems. The market is expected to double in the next three years, to $1.8 billion.

Data only proliferates, never consolidates, so finding ways to access the increasing amount of customer, partner and employee data in databases and directories can be daunting. Virtual directories provide a way, regardless of where the data resides.

Until recently, this arena was dominated by commercial tools, but recent open-source innovations have shifted the landscape. Open-source groups MyVD Virtual Directory and Safehaus Software Foundation are offering options that may appeal to small companies.

The main advantages of a virtual directory compared with a metadirectory include faster deployment time, the ability to avoid synchronizing data from other sources and security efficiencies. Commercial virtual directories are less expensive over time than metadirectories or custom-built ones. Beyond that, open-source alternatives help smaller companies adopt the technology because they are less expensive than commercial products.

One drawback of virtual directories is that they introduce a layer of middleware between the user and the authoritative system of record, which may translate into slower performance than users would experience with the authoritative system; this may be a problem only with apps that require a high service level, such as those for call centers. In addition, a virtual-directory application must be deployed with the same level of fault tolerance as the directory and database applications it will interact with.