Authentication overviewEdit online This chapter discusses basic concepts of WebSEAL authentication. Definition and purpose of authenticationAuthentication is the process of identifying an individual process or entity that is attempting to log in to a secure domain. Requests for protected resources by unauthenticated users always result in an authentication challenge. Information in a user requestClient identities and credentialsAuthentication process flowAuthenticated and unauthenticated access to resourcesSupported authentication methodsAlthough WebSEAL functions independently of the authentication process, WebSEAL uses credentials to monitor all users participating in the secure domain. Authentication challenge based on user agentWebSEAL provides a mechanism that allows the authentication challenge type to be configured based on the user agent of a client requesting a protected resource. This mechanism allows for tight integration and fine grained control over how different clients can authenticate to WebSEAL. Parent topic: Authentication