This directory contains authentication modules.

Each of these modules describes a different way to 
check that a user has provided a correct 

   - username, and 
   - password.

Even when external forms of authentication are being
used, Moodle still maintains the internal "user" table 
with all the associated information about that user such
as name, email address and so on.

The active method is set by the admin on the Configuration page.


email - authentication by email  (DEFAULT METHOD)

    - user fills out form with email address
    - email sent to user with link 
    - user clicks on link in email to confirm
    - user account is created
    - user can log in


none  - no authentication at all .. very insecure!!
    
    - user logs in using ANY username and password
    - if the username doesn't already exist then
      a new account is created
    - when user tries to access a course they 
      are forced to set up their account details

manual - internal authentication only

    - user logs in using username and password
    - no way for user to make their own account


ldap  - Uses an external LDAP server

    - user logs in using username and password
    - these are checked against an LDAP server
    - if correct, user is logged in
    - optionally, info is copied from the LDAP
      database to the Moodle user database

    (see the ldap/README for more details on config etc...)


imap  - Uses an external IMAP server

    - user logs in using username and password
    - these are checked against an IMAP server
    - if correct, user is logged in
    - if the username doesn't already exist then
      a new account is created


pop3  - Uses an external POP3 server

    - user logs in using username and password
    - these are checked against a POP3 server
    - if correct, user is logged in
    - if the username doesn't already exist then
      a new account is created


nntp  - Uses an external NNTP server

    - user logs in using username and password
    - these are checked against an NNTP server
    - if correct, user is logged in
    - if the username doesn't already exist then
      a new account is created


db  - Uses an external database to check username/password
    
    - user logs in using username and password
    - these are checked against an external database
    - if correct, user is logged in
    - if the username doesn't already exist then
      a new Moodle account is created