Notice - Effective Tuesday January 17, 2012 Kanaka for eDirectory is now available from Novell. See details here.
Mac OS X Access to Novell Network Storage—Simplified through Kanaka
Whether it’s the unparalleled innovation, the unique capabilities for developing multimedia, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in education, employee choice in workstation device, or a variety of other reasons, the Apple Mac has made a strong reemergence in educational and enterprise organizations.
Many of these organizations have Novell networks where NetWare and Open Enterprise Servers host the network home directories and collaborative storage areas where these organizations’ workers need access. But connecting these Macs to Novell networks can be challenging. For whatever reasons, traditional client software, whether developed by Novell or a third party, has tended to be nonexistent, out of date, minimalistic in its feature set, or even a published workaround methodology.
That’s why Condrey Corporation set out to solve the problem by developing Kanaka for eDirectory—a solution that provides Mac OS X users single login access to Novell network home directory and collaborative storage resources in Novell eDirectory.
As an identity-based product, Kanaka utilizes Novell eDirectory to view network user and collaborative storage attributes that pertain to a user and then mounts the storage resources accordingly.
Kanaka brings together native Mac OS X technology, standard eDirectory authentication, and Novell’s Native File Access connectivity. Kanaka communicates with eDirectory to perform context-less user authentication and retrieve identity information in order to automatically mount both user home directories and collaborative storage resources located on Novell servers via Novell’s Native File Access protocols.
Users can authenticate and access Novell network storage through either the traditional Kanaka Plug-in, or the Kanaka Desktop Client.
The Kanaka Plug-in simplifies authentication to eDirectory along with access to a user’s network home directory and collaborative storage through a single password login process. Users simply enter valid eDirectory credentials via the Mac OS X Login Window. As an identity-based product, Kanaka utilizes Novell eDirectory to view network user and collaborative storage attributes that pertain to a user and then mounts the storage resources accordingly.
The Kanaka Desktop Client was developed for users who require access to network storage resources, but are not required to authenticate to eDirectory each time they log in to the Mac OS X workstation. The process for authenticating to eDirectory begins with entering the eDirectory username and password in the Kanaka Desktop Client login window. From there, the process of mounting the user’s network home directory, collaborative storage follows the same process as the Kanaka plug-in.
A simple illustration of how Kanaka works. A user logs in with a single Simple or Universal password through one of two login interfaces. From there, Kanaka works with the attributes associated with the user in eDirectory to determine home directory and collaborative storage resources it should mount for the user. Kanaka then mounts the storage either on the Mac OS X Dock or in the Finder.
Kanaka has no dependencies on Novell NetWare. The Kanaka Engine is hosted from a Novell Open Enterprise Server 2, a Microsoft Windows Server 2008, or Microsoft Windows 7 workstation host.
Kanaka for eDirectory’s unique approach to providing Macintosh OS X workstation users automated single login access to Novell eDirectory storage resources introduces an extensive set of features and benefits unavailable in other products or custom-integrated solutions.
Features
- Single login access to eDirectory storage resources
- Flexible login options
- Plug-in authentication and access option
- Client authentication and access option
- Apple Mobile Account support
- Plug-in Console for viewing and managing identity configurations
- No NetWare dependencies
- Ability to mount Auxiliary Storage home folders managed through Novell Storage Manager
Benefits
- Access to network storage areas—even if there are dispersed among various server volumes—are accessed through a single username and password in the Login Window (Kanaka Plug-in option) or client dialog box (Kanaka Desktop Client option).
- Depending on how the user wants to access eDirectory storage resources, the Kanaka user can authenticate during workstation login or later through a client login process.
- The Kanaka Plug-in mounts eDirectory storage resources following workstation login in the Login Window.
- The Kanaka Desktop Client mounts eDirectory storage resources following client login.
- Allows for mobile access of network storage areas.
- Plug-in Console options let users view select user account information, monitor their storage quota, and change their eDirectory password.
- Kanaka 2.1 requires no NetWare-hosted components. The Kanaka Engine is hosted from a Novell Open Enterprise Server 2 , a Microsoft Windows Server 2008, or Microsoft Windows 7 workstation.
- Novell Storage Manager creates and manages Auxiliary Storage home folders. If the user has been granted rights to access Auxiliary Storage home folders, Kanaka for eDirectory mounts them on the desktop Mac desktop.
Introduced in 2005, Kanaka quickly became the premier solution for Macintosh OS X users needing access to eDirectory storage resources. By offering the only NetWare-free, single-login access solution for Mac OS X users to Novell network storage resources, Kanaka 2.1 continues to offer benefits that can’t be matched.
Q: Since updating our Macs to the new Mac OS X Lion operating system, Kanaka is not working and giving me the following error: The version of the server you are trying to connect to is not supported. Please contact you system administrator to resove the problem. What can I do to fix this?
A: Mac OS X Lion added a new authentication mechanism (DHX2) that is not supported by AFP on NetWare. Novell recently published a workaround here.
Q: Kanaka for eDirectory includes the traditional Kanaka Plug-in and the Kanaka Desktop Client. What is the difference between the two?
A: A plug-in is something that the end user never sees. For example, a common plug in to Internet browsers is the Adobe Flash Plug-in. The Kanaka Plug-in provides authentication to Mac OS X through the native loginwindow interface. The Kanaka Desktop Client is an application that can be used to login and mount storage resources.
Q: Is Kanaka licensed according to the number of users or the number of machines?
A: As with previous versions of the product, Kanaka for eDirectory is licensed according the number of machines on which the Kanaka Plug-in or Kanaka Desktop Client is installed.
Q: What is the difference between subscription and License = Maintenance for Kanaka for eDirectory?
A: Subscription means that the Kanaka for eDirectory software is enabled for one year and includes software maintenance, upgrade protection, and support. Near the end of the subscription cycle, you are notified of the need to renew the subscription in order to continue to use Kanaka. Unless the Kanaka subscription is renewed, Kanaka will be disabled 13 months after the date that the Kanaka licenses were issued.
License + Maintenance means that the software license is purchased and owned by the purchaser. Maintenance, upgrade protection, and support are included during the first 12 months following the purchase of the licenses. To continue maintenance, upgrade protection, and support after the first 12 months, you must purchase a yearly contract.
For more information on pricing and licensing, click here.
Q: The Kanaka Engine can not only be run from a Novell Open Enterprise Server 2 host, but a Windows host as well. Does support for a Windows host mean that Kanaka for eDirectorysupports Active Directory networks?
A: Kanaka for eDirectory only supports single password login access to Novell eDirectory storage resources. If you decide to run the Kanaka Engine from a Windows host, the Windows machine must be have a Novell Client installed for access to Novell eDirectory.
For single password login access to Microsoft Active Directory storage resources, Condrey Corporation has recently introduced Kanaka for Active Directory.
Q: How is Kanaka for eDirectory installed?
A: All the components for Kanaka for eDirectory are located on the Kanaka for eDirectory ISO file. After downloading and mounting the ISO image, you can install the Kanaka Engine, Kanaka plug-in and/or Desktop Client through the HTML installation interface located in the HTML directory of the ISO.
If you intend to host the Kanaka Engine on a Novell Open Enterprise Server 2 machine, install using either the 32- or 64-bit version of the Kanaka RPM file. If you intend to host the Kanaka Engine on a Microsoft Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 workstation, install using the 32- or 64-bit version of the Kanaka MSI file.
Following its installation and initial configuration, the Kanaka Engine must be configured through its Web interface.
For procedures on these steps see the Kanaka for eDirectory 2.5 Installation and Administration Guide.
Q: Why do you provide the network administrator the option of disabling the user’s ability to change his or her eDirectory password through the Kanaka Plug-in Console?
A: There is a bug in OES 2 that prevents client password change operations from processing correctly through the Kanaka Engine build for OES 2. Novell has promised to correct the problem through the release of a patch via the Novell patch channel in May 2011. If you are not receiving Novell patch notifications, you might not know of the patch, and thus, encounter problems until this option is disabled.
Q: Does the Kanaka for eDirectory Engine run on NetWare?
A: Condrey Corporation has followed the lead of Novell in moving its NetWare customers to Novell Open Enterprise Server 2. For Kanaka customers who choose to stay on NetWare, we will continue to support Kanaka 2.0, which includes a Kanaka Engine that runs as an NLM on a NetWare host.
Condrey Corporation will continue to sell and support Kanaka 2.0 for Novell NetWare environments.
Q: I currently have Kanaka 2.0. How do I upgrade to Kanaka for eDirectory?
A: Since the Kanaka for eDirectory Engine is hosted either on a Novell Open Enterprise Server 2 machine or a Windows machine, you must install the Kanaka for eDirectory Engine on one of these two hosts and then configure it according to your Kanaka 2.0 Engine configuration. Procedures for these steps are covered in the Kanaka for eDirectory 2.5 Installation and Administration Guide.
Kanaka for eDirectory Licensing Models
Kanaka for eDirectory pricing is based on the number of licensed machines on which either the Kanaka Plug-in or Kanaka Desktop Client is concurrently installed—as opposed to number of users. In support of customers requesting flexible purchasing options, Kanaka licenses are available through two models.
Licensing + Maintenance
Allows customers to purchase an initial license for the product and then pay a small fee each year for maintenance and upgrade protection beginning in Year 2. This licensing model allows customers to upgrade to new versions of the software at no additional cost during Year 1 and in successive years as long as Yearly Maintenance and Upgrade Protection is paid and kept current.
Subscription Licensing Model
Allows customers to purchase and use Kanaka licenses on a yearly basis. During the subscription period, customers will receive product updates and version upgrades at no additional charge. This licensing model allows use of the software during the subscription period only.
All licenses purchased are based on usage within a single production eDirectory tree in an organization. Significant discounts for multi-tree deployments are available upon request.
All additive licenses purchased for a given domain must be based on the same licensing model.
For a price quote, please contact Condrey Corporation Sales.
| Name | Download File |
File Size |
|---|---|---|
Kanaka Flyer |
 Kanaka 2.5 for eDir flyer.pdf |
701 KB |
Kanaka for eDir Install and Admin Guide |
3,949 KB |
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Release Notes |
Kanaka for eDirectory 2.5 Release Notes.txt |
2 KB |
To download a 30-day evaluation license of Kanaka for eDirectory, click the Kanaka for eDirectory 30-Day Evaluation License link below.
The evaluation period begins on the day the license is generated. You can use the evaluation license for any of the supported platforms of the Kanaka Engine: Novell Open Enterprise Server (OES) 2, Microsoft Windows, and Novell NetWare.
To download the Kanaka for eDirectory software and documentation, click the appropriate link below.
Registered Kanaka customers can use the appropriate link to download the latest version of the software.
Kanaka for Mac Evaluation License |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Kanaka for eDirectory 30-Day Evaluation License | |||
Kanaka for Mac 2.1 Software and Documentation Novell OES 2 or Windows Hosted Engine |
File Size |
||
| Kanaka_2_5_0-eDir-20110512 (MD5 checksum) | 5-12-2011 |
82.8 MB |
|
5-12-2011 |
1 KB |
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| Kanaka v2.5 eDir - Install and Admin Guide |
5-12-2011 |
5,143 K |
|
Kanaka for Mac 2.0 Software and Documentation Novel NeWare Hosted Engine |
|||
| Kanaka-2.0.0.exe | 05-03-2010 |
17,661 KB |
|
| Release Notes.pdf |
04-30-2010 |
27 KB |
|
| Kanaka v2.0 - Install and Admin Guide.pdf |
05-03-2010 |
6,435 KB |
|
To receive a price quote or to make a purchase |
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 Call us |
864-329-8528 option 2 |
 Send us an email with your request. |
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