Types of Users

GridServer users requiring authentication might be utilizing GridServer with client applications (Drivers), interactively using the web-based Administration Tool, or programmatically accessing the Admin interface. Each type is authenticated through the same mechanism.

GridServer authenticates users according to the method defined by the administrator. After a grid user is authenticated, the user receives an authentication token to use in further correspondence. In the case of Administration Tool or Web Services users, the authentication token is a standard HTTP session cookie. In the case where computer users connect with the DataSynapse APIs, the authentication token is a DataSynapse object.

When a Driver attempts to log in, but has an authentication failure (incorrect user name or password), it stops trying to log in. If the failure is due to some other issue (such as an LDAP Server being temporarily down), it is not treated as an authentication failure. Any current or future service/cache methods throw an appropriate exception. The Driver process must be restarted at this point to alleviate the situation.

Operating system accounts are used to start GridServer software components, like the Manager, Engine, and Driver. It is generally not required to use a superuser operating system account to start any GridServer component.