Available authentication types

Before setting up user accounts and groups within Crystal Enterprise, decide which of the three authentication types you want to use:

• Enterprise authentication

  Use the system default Enterprise Authentication if you prefer to create distinct accounts and groups for use with Crystal Enterprise, or if you have not already set up a hierarchy of users and groups in a Windows NT user database, an LDAP directory server, or a Windows AD server. See Managing Enterprise and general accounts.

• Windows NT authentication

  If you are working in a Windows NT environment (Windows NT/2000), you can use existing NT user accounts and groups in Crystal Enterprise. When you map NT accounts to Crystal Enterprise, users are able to log on to the Crystal Enterprise web desktop with their NT user name and password. This eliminates the need to recreate individual user and group accounts within Crystal Enterprise. For more information, see Managing NT accounts.

• LDAP authentication

  If you set up an LDAP directory server, you can use existing LDAP user accounts and groups in Crystal Enterprise. When you map LDAP accounts to Crystal Enterprise, users are able to access the Crystal Enterprise web desktop with their LDAP user name and password. This eliminates the need to recreate individual user and group accounts within Crystal Enterprise. For more information, see Managing LDAP accounts.

• Windows AD authentication

  If you are working in a Windows 2000 environment, you can use existing AD user accounts and groups in Crystal Enterprise. When you map AD accounts to Crystal Enterprise, users are able to log on to the Crystal Enterprise web desktop with their AD user name and password. This eliminates the need to recreate individual user and group accounts within Crystal Enterprise. For more information, see Managing AD accounts.

Note:    You can use Enterprise Authentication in conjunction with either NT, LDAP, or AD authentication, or with all of the three authentication plug-ins.