Servers and networks strain to provide the flexibility and power users demand. The advent of the Internet, the need for increased processing cycles, and the growth of workers that operate out of their home or use wireless connections redefine networks. At the same time, the need to track and support customers and suppliers threatens the capacity of the networks. Directory-enabled networking, with its emphasis on establishing intelligent network configuration, performance tracking, and user tools across a distributed format, offers the promise of a scalable, flexible, and controllable solution.
Directory-enabled networking operates on a simple premise. Every network entity, including servers, routers, workstations, peripherals, applications, and users, carries a definition that tells the server what the device is or who the user is. In addition, the definition carries information about other the devices capabilities, security-access levels, and other information. The definitions are stored in a secure database and shared with other servers. In theory, a user logs onto a server, and the server configures services and devices appropriate to that user across domains.
Current implementations of directory-enabled network services favor the Common Interface Model (CIM), which is designed to allow a device to publish information about that device. Several vendors implement support for CIM through XML using Directory Services Markup Language (DSML). This language uses XML to query the name, address, and security level of each user and device. In addition, it allows the server to identify what services they require, the applications they need along with any other devices needed to execute those applications, and other pertinent information from the directory database.
Although the concept seems simple, implementing directory-enabled networking requires a new vision. Several vendors, led by Microsoft and Cisco, offer support for the concepts. However, as this technology emerges, changes will occur and standards will evolve. Companies that adopt directory-enabled networking need to invest time and money to make it run efficiently, but the concept is gaining popularity. Network and IT managers, in spite of the risks, will need to learn about directory-enabled networking to keep their infrastructures current and competitive.
Key Concepts
Like any technology, directory-enabled networking comes with its own vocabulary. Some of the major concepts follow:
Security Concerns
A directory-enabled network centers transactions on the directory. A corrupt directory can cause serious disruptions, so network managers must take steps to protect it. This requires full security. Microsoft’s definition of directory-enabled networking includes support for authentication schemes, including hardware authentication, smart card recognition, and public key infrastructures. Security should be a key concern for IT and network managers. The presence of the directory database on each server represents a potentially rich source of data for any unauthorized user. Therefore, the information must be preserved and protected.
Next Steps
Some companies must consider directory-enabled networking now. The demands of e-commerce and the integration of supplier and buyer networks require the new technology. Many companies, however, view directory-enable networking as a future issue.
If network managers want to investigate the technology, they need to determine the types of network operating systems and identify the capabilities of all devices on the network to determine if upgrades are needed. Managers also must ensure that all the platforms supported within the network support directory-enabled networking. Finally, the network manager must estimate the cost of adapting legacy systems and software to operate correctly in a directory-enabled environment.
—
Gerald Williams serves as director of quality assurance for Dolphin Inc., a software development company. Williams has extensive background in technology and testing, previously serving as Editorial Director with National Software Testing Labs (NSTL), Executive Editor with Datapro Research, and Managing Editor of Datapro’s PC Communications Reference Service.
This briefing originally appeared on internet.com’s Crossnodes.com
Ethics and Artificial Intelligence: Driving Greater Equality
FEATURE | By James Maguire,
December 16, 2020
AI vs. Machine Learning vs. Deep Learning
FEATURE | By Cynthia Harvey,
December 11, 2020
Huawei’s AI Update: Things Are Moving Faster Than We Think
FEATURE | By Rob Enderle,
December 04, 2020
Keeping Machine Learning Algorithms Honest in the ‘Ethics-First’ Era
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Guest Author,
November 18, 2020
Key Trends in Chatbots and RPA
FEATURE | By Guest Author,
November 10, 2020
FEATURE | By Samuel Greengard,
November 05, 2020
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Guest Author,
November 02, 2020
How Intel’s Work With Autonomous Cars Could Redefine General Purpose AI
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Rob Enderle,
October 29, 2020
Dell Technologies World: Weaving Together Human And Machine Interaction For AI And Robotics
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Rob Enderle,
October 23, 2020
The Super Moderator, or How IBM Project Debater Could Save Social Media
FEATURE | By Rob Enderle,
October 16, 2020
FEATURE | By Cynthia Harvey,
October 07, 2020
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Guest Author,
October 05, 2020
CIOs Discuss the Promise of AI and Data Science
FEATURE | By Guest Author,
September 25, 2020
Microsoft Is Building An AI Product That Could Predict The Future
FEATURE | By Rob Enderle,
September 25, 2020
Top 10 Machine Learning Companies 2021
FEATURE | By Cynthia Harvey,
September 22, 2020
NVIDIA and ARM: Massively Changing The AI Landscape
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By Rob Enderle,
September 18, 2020
Continuous Intelligence: Expert Discussion [Video and Podcast]
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By James Maguire,
September 14, 2020
Artificial Intelligence: Governance and Ethics [Video]
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | By James Maguire,
September 13, 2020
IBM Watson At The US Open: Showcasing The Power Of A Mature Enterprise-Class AI
FEATURE | By Rob Enderle,
September 11, 2020
Artificial Intelligence: Perception vs. Reality
FEATURE | By James Maguire,
September 09, 2020
Datamation is the leading industry resource for B2B data professionals and technology buyers. Datamation's focus is on providing insight into the latest trends and innovation in AI, data security, big data, and more, along with in-depth product recommendations and comparisons. More than 1.7M users gain insight and guidance from Datamation every year.
Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on Datamation and our other data and technology-focused platforms.
Advertise with Us
Property of TechnologyAdvice.
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved
Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this
site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives
compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products
appear on this site including, for example, the order in which
they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies
or all types of products available in the marketplace.