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Technology Overview
Mac OS X Server
Server Admin makes it easy to set up replication services for Open Directory. Replica
directories automatically synchronize with the master directory, so user accounts and
authentication information remain consistent across distributed networks.
Single sign-on using Kerberos
Open Directory integrates an authentication authority based on MIT’s Kerberos
technology to provide users with single sign-on access to secure network resources.
Using strong Kerberos authentication, single sign-on maximizes the security of
network resources while providing users with easier access to a broad range of
Kerberos-enabled network services. For services that have not yet been “Kerberized,”
the integrated SASL service automatically negotiates the strongest possible
authentication protocol.
Directory support for Windows clients
In Mac OS X Server, Apple has integrated the NT Domain services of the popular
open source Samba 3 project with Open Directory, making it possible to host NT
Domain services. You can set up Mac OS X Server as a Primary Domain Controller
(PDC) or Backup Domain Controller (BDC) for your network, allowing Windows users
to authenticate against Mac OS X Server directly from their PC login windows.
NT Domain services also enable Mac OS X Server to host roaming pro les and
network home directories for Windows clients. Now any user in your directory can
securely log in and access the same user account, authentication, home directory, and
network resources from either a Mac or a Windows system. These capabilities make
Mac OS X Server ideal for replacing aging Windows NT or Windows 2000 servers, with-
out requiring businesses to transition to an expensive Active Directory infrastructure.