Citrix XenServer Integration with Active Directory

A popular opensource virtual-machine monitor, Xen is commonly viewed as an alternative to VMware. The primary entity supporting the development and distribution of Xen is XenSource, acquired by Citrix Systems in 2007. More information about Xen can be found at their site or on Wikipedia.

Using Active Directory as an identity and authentication repository for platforms is technically sound and can provide real benefits for end users and administrators.

The Centrify Suite centrally secures and manages Citrix XenServer systems — along with 350 other versions of Linux and Unix — by integrating them with your existing Microsoft Active Directory services. With the Centrify Suite you can:

• Reduce operational and helpdesk costs by centralizing account management within Active Directory, enabling standardization on a single set of tools and processes.
• Strengthen security by centrally managing access rights and privileges, and enforcing consistent security policies across heterogeneous systems.
• Simplify compliance reporting for PCI, SOX, FISMA and other regulations by linking all access rights and privileges to a single, definitive Active Directory identity.

Built on a common architecture, the Centrify Suite of solutions has been chosen by over 4000 enterprise customers worldwide for its quick-to-deploy, easy-to-manage next-generation technology. The Centrify Suite consists of Centrify DirectControl and Centrify DirectAuthorize, and is packaged in several editions depending on your needs.

Centrify Suite Features

Centrify DirectControl: Centralized Identity & Access Management

• Consolidate and eliminate redundant identity stores by adopting Active Directory as your centralized directory
• Provide administrators and end-users with a single sign-on account for systems.
• Use Centrify's unique Zone-Based Access Controls to apply granular access controls to logical groups of systems.
• Enforce consistent security and configuration policies across heterogeneous systems using Group Policy for UNIX, Linux and Mac.
• Provide end-users with a single sign-on account for SAP, web applications, and databases running on Centrify-managed systems.

Centrify DirectAuthorize: Role-Based Access Controls & Privilege Management

• Set time windows when a role can access a system, and time periods when a role assignment is active.
• Lock down sensitive systems with fine-grained controls that set who can access a system and how.
• Grant users rights to execute commands with elevated privileges, eliminating the need for access to privileged accounts and passwords.
• Assign users a Restricted Environment with access only to a specific "whitelist" of commands.

Supported Versions of Citrix XenServer

The following table shows all Citrix XenServer versions supported by the Centrify Suite Standard Edition. Click the Show Details tab for a detailed of each version, including upcoming versions.

Summary

Details

Systems A-Z		32-bit	64-bit
How to read this chart: Early Access Recent Additions Supported
Citrix XenServer	4
	4.1
	5
	5.5
	5.6
	6.0

= Currently supported.
= Available through our Early Access program. Ask your Centrify support or sales representative for access.

Summary

Details

Systems A-Z		32-bit	64-bit
Click Show Details for a list of every platform, including notifications of upcoming or recently added versions.
Citrix XenServer	4, 5, 6

Next Steps