org.springframework.security.authentication
Interface AuthenticationManager

All Known Implementing Classes:
AbstractAuthenticationManager, ProviderManager

public interface AuthenticationManager

Processes an Authentication request.


Method Summary
 Authentication authenticate(Authentication authentication)
          Attempts to authenticate the passed Authentication object, returning a fully populated Authentication object (including granted authorities) if successful.
 

Method Detail

authenticate

Authentication authenticate(Authentication authentication)
                            throws AuthenticationException
Attempts to authenticate the passed Authentication object, returning a fully populated Authentication object (including granted authorities) if successful.

An AuthenticationManager must honour the following contract concerning exceptions:

Exceptions should be tested for and if applicable thrown in the order expressed above (i.e. if an account is disabled or locked, the authentication request is immediately rejected and the credentials testing process is not performed). This prevents credentials being tested against disabled or locked accounts.

Parameters:
authentication - the authentication request object
Returns:
a fully authenticated object including credentials
Throws:
AuthenticationException - if authentication fails