org.springframework.security
Interface AuthenticationManager

All Known Implementing Classes:

AbstractAuthenticationManager, MockAuthenticationManager, NamespaceAuthenticationManager, ProviderManager

public interface AuthenticationManager

Processes an Authentication request.

Version:

$Id$

Author:

Ben Alex

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:

A DisabledException must be thrown if an account is disabled and the AuthenticationManager can test for this state.

A LockedException must be thrown if an account is locked and the AuthenticationManager can test for account locking.

A BadCredentialsException must be thrown if incorrect credentials are presented. Whilst the above exceptions are optional, an AuthenticationManager must always test credentials.

Exceptions should be tested for and if applicable thrown in the order expressed above (ie 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