Later this month, Centrify will offer Centrify Express, as set of free portions of its Centrify Suite Active Directory integration tools for Mac OS X and Unix/Linux clients. The main piece is DirectControl Express for adding Macs and Unix/Linux to Active Directory. Centrify will also offer DirectManage Express, a free version of new product not yet offered, that will automate analysis and deployment of AD integration. Centrify Express will include "Centrify-enabled" versions of Samba, Kerberos, and OpenSSH to work with the Express software.

Centrify is aiming the Express software for use on single computers with local control. The Express software can be upgraded to the paid editions, which the company said are designed to address compliance with enterprise-wide group policies, as well as network complexity through the use of a single console to manage different client platforms.

DirectControl Express is a subset of Centrify DirectControl. It includes an alternative to the Apple AD plugin for Mac OS X, allowing Macs (and Linux/Unix) to join an Active Directory domain and authenticate a user. DirectControl Express provides single sign-on, Kerberos authentication, and supports Active Directory's password policies. Users who are authenticated members of a remote domain can access Linux or Mac systems joined to another trusted domain. Unlike Apple's AD plugin, Mac OS X Server is not required.

A Centrify representative said DirectControl Express was similar in scope to Likewise Software's free Likewise Open, but also provides a tool the checks a client's system for potential problems prior to installation.

DirectManage Express will enable administrators to automate the discovery systems and the deployment Centrify Express to the systems. Centrify will also launch a new web presence called Centrify Community, which will consists of forums, training videos, blogs, and documentation.

A spokesperson said that the company will issue a press release on July 20 and make Centrify Express available at that time.