A server authenticates a connection request by comparing the username and password it receives from a client with the authentication records in the file.
When a client program initiates a connection to a server, it provides the server with a username and password. The server authenticates the client, by comparing this username and password with the authentication records in the serverConnect.conf file. The server uses the first authentication record that matches the information sent by the client.
The authentication records are reread for each attempted connection, so that any changes to the file take effect immediately.
The Global Console always displays a log-on dialog box where a user must enter a username and password. For example, when a Global Console connects to a Service Assurance Manager, it sends a username and password to the Service Assurance Manager. The Service Assurance Manager compares the credentials to the authentication record listed in its serverConnect.conf file. If the first matching record allows the connection, then Service Assurance Manager accepts the connection and grants the privileges that are specified by the authentication record. If the username and password do not match an authentication record, the connection is refused.
