Features

Capabilities

-normalize database entries (names, uppercases, groups, ...)
-generate random passwords of a given lengths excluding characters leading to confusion (one, L)
-generate a unique (in case of duplicates) id
-generate an account
    -login hour management
    -session startup script (macro makes it user- or group-dependent)
    -profile
    -home folder
-include user in any number of (automatically generated) security group
-create home folder with proper security permissions
    -change folder ownership
    -make this home folder appear as a (possibly hidden) share if desired
    -supervisor rights can be given to a group of users (teachers ?)
    -generate home directory substructure and population (profile, mail ...)
-copy from a template folder (that can be made user- or group-dependent through use of macros)
-generate user directory entries (with proper security settings)
    -X400,SMTP,MSMAIL,CCMAIL,addresses
    -SMTP address format is configurable
-create mailbox on messenging server (with proper security settings)
-include user in any number of distribution lists, created on-the-fly if they don't exist

Database versatility	The software supports a number of database formats as inputs, provided an ODBC is available (most of them do : mySQL, Access, Excel, SQL, Oracle, DBase). The default format (Jet Engine) allows for extra processing with standard office tools. But Access is not required since DB2DIR can create an ODBC if need be. A large collection of tools is available to handle database output, querying, ...
Processing granularity	Actions can apply to a subset of a database knows as a recordset This feature allows for good flexibility.
Script capabilities	Scripts can steer DB2DIR actions, if these are repetitive. Furthermore, a script can be remotely distributed once tested.
Thread processing	Processing runs as a background task on a dedicated thread which keeps the user interface responsive.
Utilisation des protocoles et interfaces standard	Use of standard protocol (LDAP) garanties good scalability and extensibility.
Update capabilities	Accounts can be generated as they originally were (including passwords). Not only is is possible to initially generate large lists of users, but also to maintain these accounts as is usually necessary in everyday use (settings change, updates).
Active Directory	Interacts with Active Directory Services in Windows 2000.
Unix	Generates users and groups (/etc/passwd, /etc/shadow /etc/group files) with Unix-hashed passwords.
Samba	Generates users and groups (fichiers /etc/samba/smbpasswd) with NT and LM-hashed passwords.
LDAP	Generates users and groups (Samba schema but versatile use), features for Unix and Samba under LDAP form. Supports SSL connection.
Lotus Domino	Generates (certified) Domino users and groups.
Remoteness	Can operate on remote servers through RPC or LDAP.

Support	There is no support nor hotline.
Stability	IProblem stabilities stabilité et je n'ai pas la prétention de dire que tous les bugs ont été éliminés. En l'état donc...
Messenging	For the moment the messenging and directory systems supported are Exchange and Domino. But db2dir is written to LDAP standards and any directory using LDAP standards could be targeted easily.
Scripts	The script language, however, is proprietary.
Fool-prof	The use of the software is not fool-proof and could lead to data-loss if used by an operator messing around.
Downloads	ODBC, DAO, ADSI are for the moment required.