Skip Links

Network World

  • Social Web 
  • Email 
  • Close

Centeris Likewise 2.0 helps Windows, Linux coexist

By Tom Henderson, Laszlo Szenes, Network World Lab Alliance , Network World , 02/05/2007

Centeris Likewise 2.0 is a tool that changes Linux settings using an application that has a Windows look and feel rather than one comprising many disparate Linux command-line or console methods.

In our Clear Choice Test, Likewise proved to be a seductive addition for Windows-savvy administrators who seek to manage Linux workstations and servers across the network. The basic features needed to join Linux workstations and servers to Windows networks are easy to understand and execute, but the product can only be used on one Linux box at a time.


How we tested Likewise 2.0
Archive of Network World tests
Subscribe to the Network Product Test Results newsletter

Just before press time, Centeris renamed the tool Likewise Admin 2.1, which is essentially the same as the version we tested. Likewise 2.0 is geared toward the administrator who knows Windows and has reason to add Linux workstations or servers to the systems mix, but either has scant experience with Linux configuration or prefers using a Windows GUI for management. However, the product can't substitute for having background in broad systems administrative basics, such as the principles and management techniques behind Linux or Unix operating systems.

Four basic Windows management-control services over Linux are provided: authentication to Active Directory, SAMBA-based proxy connection to file and print resources, DNS settings and Apache Web server settings.

Centeris Likewise 2.0 OVERALL RATING
3.65
Company: Centeris Cost: $249 per server, $49 per workstation. Pros: Very good Linux administration for Windows-centered organizations. Cons: Lacks MySQL or other Linux database support.
The breakdown   
Administration/management 50% 4
Reporting/features 20% 3
Compatibility 15% 4
Security 15% 3
TOTAL SCORE  3.65
Scoring Key: 5: Exceptional; 4: Very good; 3: Average; 2: Below average; 1: Consistently subpar
Click to see: Centeris Likewise 2.0

Virtually all of Centeris' work can be done on a Linux workstation manually, through management interfaces on Linux machines run by, say, SUSE Enterprise Server 10 and its YaST (Yet another Systems Tool). Centeris, however, does YaST one better by setting key connectivity and administrative components in a Windows-like way.

Partner Content

NetScout is one of the world's premier providers of integrated network and application performance solutions.

www.netscout.com

Know First

Get Proactive — Move from Troubleshooting to Monitoring to Management with nGenius K2's Service Dashboard & Intelligent Early Warning Alarms

Watch the Video

Know Where

Get Rapid Performance Problem Isolation with nGenius Performance Manager and Diagnose Problems up to 70% Faster!

Learn More

Know Why

Get the Details to Validate and Solve your Toughest Performance Issues with nGenius InfiniStream and Sniffer Intelligence Modules

Read the Whitepaper

Comment
Login
Forgot your account info?
Add comment
Anonymous comments subject to moderator approval. Register here for member benefits.
Have a NetworkWorld account? Log in here. Register now for a free account.

Videos

rssRss Feed
Save The Date!
What They Are Saying

I also lost internet access, and resorted to "uninstall KB951748 & KB951978". Access returned. Tried...- Anonymous

Join the Discussion