Likewise Software, which some people may remember as Centeris, has revved its namesake cross-platform authentication software calling the latest thing Likewise Open Spring ’08 – at least to the outside world. Inside they call it 4.1.

Anyway the new cut, which integrates Linux, Unix and Mac systems with Microsoft’s Active Directory, now supports something like 110 platforms, virtually all the non-Windows enterprise platforms there are, it says.

The widgetry is supposed to start appearing on Red Hat 5.2 and Ubuntu 8.04 in April (my notes are a little fuzzy here; I think they said it was already in the beta currently circulating) and SUSE at some point or another – all of which should clinch it as the de facto solution for authenticating Unix, Linux and Mac systems with AD.

Oh, by the way, Richard Seibt, who was once CEO of SUSE, is now on the Likewise board.

Likewise Open is available for download at www.likewisesoftware.com/download/index.php.

Paid support is, of course, available and there is a Likewise Enterprise. Prices start with a 10-incident pack for $2,500 a year.