Sun Microsystems and Microsoft Announce New Identity Specifications for Enhanced Interoperability

Strategic Insights -

Sun Microsystems and Microsoft have outlined their progress in their landmark 10-year technical collaboration agreement, focusing on enhancing product interoperability through new identity specifications. The companies have jointly developed and published two draft specifications: Web Single Sign-On Metadata Exchange (Web SSO MEX) Protocol and Web Single Sign-On Interoperability Profile (Web SSO Interop Profile). These specifications enable browser-based Web Single Sign-On between security domains that use Liberty ID-FF and WS-Federation.

The companies have made significant progress in the past year, establishing a productive work relationship at various levels, from regular executive meetings to in-depth working sessions with engineers. The CEOs noted that single sign-on experience between the Solaris-based Operating System, Sun Java Enterprise System, and Microsoft Windows Server has been customers' top request. This is just the beginning of a long list of projects they are working on.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sun Microsystems and Microsoft have developed two new specifications for Web Single Sign-On interoperability: Web Single Sign-On Metadata Exchange (Web SSO MEX) Protocol and Web Single Sign-On Interoperability Profile (Web SSO Interop Profile).
  • These specifications enable browser-based Web Single Sign-On between security domains using Liberty ID-FF and WS-Federation.
  • The companies have announced a series of measures to enhance product interoperability, including licensing agreements and product cooperation addressing customer interoperability needs.
  • Microsoft and Sun will support the new specifications within their product portfolios, including Microsoft Windows Server and Sun Java Enterprise System.
  • The companies welcome participation in the further development of these draft specifications through the Web services protocol workshop process.
  • Leading systems integrators, including Accenture, EDS, and NEC Corp., support the Sun and Microsoft relationship and are providing interoperability between Sun and Microsoft products for their customers.
  • Sun has licensed Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol and will implement it in its Sun Ray ultra-thin client product line to enable users to access Windows Terminal Services running on Windows Server 2003.

Statistics:

  • The companies have worked together for one year, establishing a productive work relationship at various levels.
  • Single sign-on experience between the Solaris-based Operating System, Sun Java Enterprise System, and Microsoft Windows Server has been customers' top request.
  • 64-bit computing is a key area of focus for the companies, with the Sun Fire x64 server for x64 systems and Sun Java Workstation product lines carrying the Designed for Windows logo.
  • The integration of Sun and Microsoft products is critical to General Motors, with the reduction in integration cost and operational complexity being a key enabler for implementing identity management initiatives.

Sources:

  • "M2 PressWIRE-13 May 2005-Sun Microsystems: Sun and Microsoft announce new identity specifications and additional measures for product interoperability..."
  • "Microsoft and Sun Announce Plans to Enhance Interoperability Across Product Lines"
  • "Sun Microsystems and Microsoft Collaborate on WS-Management Specification"
  • "Microsoft and Sun Announce Licensing Agreements for Remote Desktop Protocol"