Login Module
The LoginModule interface gives developers the ability to implement different kinds of authentication technologies that can be plugged in under an application. For example, one type of LoginModule may perform a username/password-based form of authentication. Other LoginModules may interface to hardware devices such as smart cards or biometric devices.
Note: If you are an application writer, you do not need to understand
the workings of LoginModules. All you have to know is how to write
your application and specify configuration information (such as in
a login configuration file) such that the application will be able
to utilize the LoginModule specified by the configuration to authenticate
the user.
If, on the other hand, you are a programmer who wants to write a LoginModule implementing an authentication technology, see the JAAS LoginModule Developer's Guide for detailed step-by-step instructions.