Importance

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Abstract

A technique is provided for authenticating a client for multiple network devices and services using a single sign-on mechanism. The present technique stores client credentials at each of the multiple network devices and services, which generate and transform an authentication challenge (e.g., a random number) using an appropriate one of the client credentials stored thereon. At the client-side, the single sign-on mechanism stores client credentials entered during a first authentication process. Subsequent authentication processes simply retrieve the client credentials stored by the single sign-on mechanism during the first authentication process. The technique then independently transforms the authentication challenge received at the client-side using the client credentials at the client-side. The technique then authenticates the client if the independent transformations produce an equivalent result. Alternatively, the single sign-on mechanism may retain an authentication token generated during the first authentication process. In either case, the present technique authenticates the client by retaining client credentials independently at both the client-side and server-side, thereby improving security and reducing or eliminating the need for data encryption during the authentication process.

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First Claim