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Virtual Directories Take Hold: Page 4 of 5

MyVD Virtual Directory is a Java-based open-source project hosted on SourceForge. MyVD is still in development (the .80 version was introduced in February), but it will support custom connectors, called inserts, to manage integration with other applications that hold ID data.

It's not surprising that Microsoft and Novell provide virtual directories, but many of the early third-party metadirectory vendors that created directory-synchronization tools also offer virtual directories. MaXware, Persistent Systems, Radiant Logic and Symlabs were among the first with virtual-directory products. Another early developer, Octet String, was acquired by Oracle in 2005. Oracle is making the Octet String products part of its suite of ID-management apps. Although IBM offers the middleware, database and directory products that should let it play in this space, partners such as Radiant Logic and Symlabs help IBM deliver virtual directories.

Despite bigger players such as Oracle entering the fray, dedicated directory management vendors, including Radiant Logic and Symlabs, are the market leaders in terms of share and innovation.

ID management is a fundamental application of the technology, and vendors with ID-management systems, such as Microsoft, also offer products. This means that conventional systems-management vendors, such as BMC Software and CA, also offer virtual directories through an OEM agreement or partnership with a virtual-directory software vendor.