Fujitsu and 123ID Introduce Biometric Client and Server Login Kits, Enabling NMAS Authentication for Novell eDirectory

Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) and 123ID, Inc. today announced a suite of new biometric login kits for Novell® eDirectory™, the directory service that forms the basis for many of the world’s major identity-management deployments. The new biometric login enables users to access Novell eDirectory running on Linux, NetWare or Windows. The product numbers are NMAS-UMS-2210, 2220, 2230, 2300, 2310, 4210, 4220, 4300 and 4310.

Fujitsu has combined its industry-leading fingerprint sensor technology, including the MBF200 single touch sensor and MBF320 Sweep Sensor®, with software specifically developed by 123ID, an innovative software developer specializing in pattern analysis and fingerprint matching. The resulting biometric solution replaces password authentication for transaction-type identification and verification in eDirectory, Novell’s cross-platform infrastructure for managing, securing, accessing, and developing major network components. To authenticate themselves and access eDirectory, users simply touch the fingerprint sensor and are accepted by Identify, a feature of the Fujitsu eDirectory login system that provides a complete one-to-many authentication.

The Fujitsu eDirectory login features include:

Self-enrollment (Post Login) Novell Modular Authentication Service (NMAS) sequence that enrolls users into eDirectory after login without the need for administrative validation. A component of eDirectory, NMAS secures the network and controls access using one or more login methods;
Remote client authentication (Disconnect Mode) offers roaming client stations the capability to log into eDirectory under the same trusted Novell authentication rules;
Synchronized co-existence with other NMAS methods, such as Novell SecureLogin. The 123ID technology provides native biometric compatibility with the Novell Linux client;
Easy setup and configuration for administrators;
Interoperability with any biometric scanners supported by 123ID;
Native International Committee for Information Technology Standards (NICITS) 378 and FIPS-201 templates as delivered by the 123ID technology.
“This biometric authentication component for Novell eDirectory enables a new level of security, safety and convenience for users,” said Philip Hopkins, biometrics product manager, Embedded Systems Business Group, Fujitsu Microelectronics America. “Users will no longer need to recall complex passwords. Integrating x.509 Public Key Encryption with biometrics enables safe, reliable and secure access to system resources. The Fujitsu eDirectory Login is simple to install and configure, so administrators also benefit. We believe the ease-of-use and advanced security provided by biometrics deliver a compelling solution for financial, medical and other applications.”

“For the past decade, eDirectory has been trusted worldwide for its enterprise-level scalability, compatibility, reliability, manageability and security,” said Nick Nikols, vice president, Product Management for identity and security, Novell. “This new biometric login component will add to the capabilities of eDirectory, providing users with strong multi-factor authentication for Novell Identity Manager and Novell Access Manager.”

“The deployment of a universal matching technology offering interoperable support to many other fingerprint sensors in the industry is a strong message to the user community,” said Roger Quint, CEO of 123ID, Inc. “The message is that Fujitsu is out to provide a working competitive solution and not to technologically lock down the customer without a migration and evolution opportunity.”

System Requirements

Client system requirements include SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 from Novell with Novell Client for Linux version 1.0; or Windows XP or 2000 SP4 operating systems with Novell Client for Windows version 4.91 SP2 or later; a USB port; and a 200MHz or faster CPU with minimum 64MB RAM. Server system requirements include Novell eDirectory 8.7.3 SPI; Console One version 1.3.6 or later; NetWare 6.5 SP3 or later; Windows 2003 server, XP or Windows 2000 SP4; Pentium-class PC with 64MB RAM or more; and SUSE Linux Enterprise version 9 or later.

Pricing and Availability

The Fujitsu eDirectory Login NMAS Installer for administrators comes on a CD that includes Login Method Object and post-login LMO for remote enrollment in Linux, NetWare and Windows versions. The Enterprise software CD also includes a license manager tool application for up to five users. Also available separately is the Fujitsu eDirectory Identify LMO that allows a one-to-many identification capability. For client versions Fujitsu offers the Login NMAS Installer with biometric driver Wizard installation tool, login module for biometric verification, post-login dependencies to enable enrollment through the NMAS sequence, and a fingerprint enrollment application for use by the administrator.

The products will be available in September, and pricing begins at $250 for the Administrator Kit and $100 for the Client Kit. Detailed product information is available at http://us.fujitsu.com/micro/edir