FreeIPA vs OpenBSD: What are the differences?

## Key Differences Between FreeIPA and OpenBSD

FreeIPA is an integrated Identity and Authentication solution while OpenBSD is a security-focused operating system. The primary difference between the two is their core functionality and purpose.

1. **Architecture**: FreeIPA is designed to provide centralized identity management for Unix/Linux environments, offering features such as LDAP, Kerberos, DNS, and certificate management in an integrated solution. On the other hand, OpenBSD focuses on providing a secure and robust operating system with a minimalistic approach to keep the codebase simple and secure.

2. **Community and Support**: FreeIPA has a vibrant community of users and developers who actively contribute to its development and offer support through forums, mailing lists, and documentation. In contrast, OpenBSD also has a dedicated community but with a stronger emphasis on security research and development, leading to a more specialized user base.

3. **Licensing**: FreeIPA is distributed under the GPLv3 license, which allows users to view, modify, and distribute the source code freely. OpenBSD, on the other hand, uses the BSD license, which provides users with more freedom to modify and distribute the code without some of the restrictions of the GPL.

4. **Focus on Identity Management**: FreeIPA places a strong emphasis on identity management features such as user authentication, access control, and policy enforcement, making it a comprehensive solution for organizations looking to centralize their authentication systems. In contrast, OpenBSD focuses more on providing a secure platform for general-purpose computing without the same level of built-in identity management functionality.

5. **Security Practices**: While both FreeIPA and OpenBSD prioritize security, they approach it differently. FreeIPA focuses on securing identity and authentication services within a network, while OpenBSD emphasizes secure coding practices, proactive security auditing, and regular updates to address potential vulnerabilities in the operating system.

In Summary, FreeIPA and OpenBSD differ in architecture, community support, licensing, focus on identity management, and security practices.