Vintela Authentication Services Helps Heterogeneous Organizations Simplify Identity Management Based on Active Directory

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., October 16, 2006 - As announced separately today, Quest Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: QSFT) offers an Active Directory-based strategy to identity management challenges that results in a dramatically simplified approach to the problem. A key component of this strategy is the elimination of multiple identity stores, identities and authentication mechanisms across heterogeneous platforms. With version 3.1 of its Vintela Authentication Services, Quest supports and enables the step-by-step progress toward a single, unified Active Directory-based identity infrastructure that encompasses Unix and Linux systems, users and applications.  

"We understand that many organizations today have complex IT environments including multiple directories, identities and authentication mechanisms," said Dave Wilson, vice president, Vintela solutions, Quest Software. "While they realize that maintaining multiple identities across platforms is not optimal, the prospect of integrating, migrating and consolidating these identities has seemed daunting. With this version of Vintela Authentication Services, Quest fully empowers customers with a cost-effective, standards-based, stepwise path to unified identity management based on an existing investment in Active Directory."  

Vintela Authentication Services now streamlines the process of including Unix and Linux systems and users in an Active Directory-based identity platform. Quest supports a full spectrum of identity integration options - from full migration to selective integration - giving customers the freedom to proceed at their own pace toward the goal of a single Active Directory-based infrastructure that encompasses all systems and users.

Administrators who choose complete migration of Unix identities to Active Directory can use the new Unix Identity Migration Wizard for a structured, automated and reversible migration designed to maximize security. In addition, the new Ownership Alignment Tool provides the functionality to take organizations "the last mile" toward true directory consolidation. These new components of Vintela Authentication Services allow organizations to realign and assign correct ownership of conflicting user IDs and files before, during or after migration to Active Directory.  

Administrators who want the benefit of integration with Active Directory, but choose to maintain separate Unix identities as an interim phase, can benefit from the existing Unix Personality Management functionality of Vintela Authentication Services.

Administrators who are not yet ready for full migration of identities, but still want to leverage Active Directory-based authentication, can use the Personality Services Switch, which keeps existing Unix infrastructure (for example - Network Information Service) in place while allowing Active Directory to serve authentication credentials for the Unix or Linux systems. Users are transparently linked to Active Directory account credentials during this step-by-step transition.

Additional new capabilities of Vintela Authentication Services include:

• Compliance and Security Features - Vintela Authentication Services leverages native Windows Security Policy in Active Directory, so that access to Unix systems follows the same stringent standards available to Windows systems. The product also provides Unix host access control through Group Policy, enabling organizations to achieve fine-grained delegation for administrative access control and policy consistency between Windows and Unix/Linux.
• Enhanced Integration with Quest Products - 
  • Quest Reporter, which ships with every license of Vintela Authentication Services, now generates customized reports of Unix and Linux personalities by user and hosts and by organizational unit. 
  • Quest Group Policy Manager can now track changes, test, review and enforce version control on Unix and Linux Group Polices.  
  • Quest ActiveRoles Server now provisions Unix and Linux identities in Active Directory, ensuring each identity has the correct access and resources.
• Expanded Platform Support - Vintela Authentication Services offers full functionality for all supported platforms. Version 3.1 includes new support for Fedora Core 3, RedHat Enterprise Server 3.0/4.0, VMWare ESX Server 3.0, Mac OS X, SGI Irix Tru64 and Ubuntu (Debian).

Pricing and Availability
North American pricing for Vintela Authentication Services begins at $325 per server and $45 per user (USD). A $20 application-only authentication license is also available for Java, Apache, SAP and other applications. The Unix Identity Migration Wizard is begins at $12 per user (USD). Version 3.1 is expected to be available in early November 2006. For more information and to download a free evaluation copy please visit: http://www.quest.com/Vintela_Authentication_Services/.

About Quest Software, Inc.
Quest Software, Inc. delivers innovative products that help organizations get more performance and productivity from their applications, databases and Windows infrastructure. Through a deep expertise in IT operations and a continued focus on what works best, Quest helps thousands of customers worldwide meet higher expectations for enterprise IT. Quest's Windows Management solutions simplify, automate and secure Active Directory, Exchange and Windows, as well as integrate Unix, Linux and Java into the managed environment. Quest Software can be found in offices around the globe and at www.quest.com.

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Quest and Quest Software are registered trademarks of Quest Software, Inc. The Quest Software logo and all other Quest Software product or service names and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of Quest Software, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Forward Looking Statements
This release may include predictions, estimates and other information that might be considered forward-looking statements, including statements concerning the availability and market acceptance of our new version of Vintela Authentication Services.  These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.   Actual results could differ from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including: the impact of adverse changes in general economic conditions on our relationships with customers, strategic partners and vendors; reductions or delays in information technology spending; variations in demand or the size and timing of customer orders; competitive conditions in our various product areas; rapid technological change; risks associated with the development and market acceptance of new products and product strategies; disruptions caused by acquisitions of companies and/or technologies;  fluctuating currency exchange rates and risks associated with international operations; the need to attract and retain qualified employees; and other risks inherent in software businesses.    For a discussion of these and other related risks, please refer to our recent SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.