Sun Unveils Liberty-Enabled Network-Identity Platform

The platform includes new versions of its Sun ONE Directory Server and Sun ONE Identity Server products supporting the Liberty 1.0 spec, said Jonathan Schwartz, Sun's executive vice president of software. Sun ONE Directory Server 5.2 and Sun ONE Identity Server 6 are available now, he said.

The platform also is comprised of Sun security services; the Solaris 9 operating environment; Sun Fire 280R, Ultra and SPARC III servers; and Sun StorEdge storage arrays, according to Sun.

The Liberty Alliance unveiled its first technology specification for secure user identity across multiple systems on Monday. The group, led by Sun and 15 other board members, is aiming its technology directly at Microsoft's Passport service, which allows a similar single sign-on but gives Microsoft control of user information.

Schwartz said products such as Sun's Liberty-enabled platform open up new business opportunities for companies to partner with one another.

"There's no doubt in anybody's mind that the Internet is a terrific channel not just for services or goods, but it's also an idea mechanism for partnering," said Schwartz.

He said that the advent of the first Liberty spec makes it possible for vendors to offer standard platforms so companies can more easily link together their systems.

Schwartz added that Sun plans to Liberty-enable all of its Sun ONE software in the future, including its app server and portal server products.

Sun launched its first network identity solution in March as a set of products and services for enabling companies to lay a secure foundation for Web services and Liberty-based solutions.