* Benefits of virtual directories

By Andreas M. Antonopoulos, Network World, 06/14/05

Virtual directory servers that aggregate identity information from a variety of sources promise to solve problems with directories and databases while creating an identity “layer” that can provide identity services to any application.

Directories and databases act as identity storage for an enterprise’s identity-management system. In most enterprises, identity information is dispersed in multiple directories, which are often managed autonomously by a business unit. Over the years many enterprises have attempted to consolidate directories into “meta-directories” to reduce complexity and operational costs. Still, political issues regarding control of the information in the directories make it difficult to wrest control of all directories and put them under one single management.