Native Authentication Contrasted with External Authentication

Authentication that relies on security credentials stored in Oracle Internet Directory is called native authentication. When a user enters her security credentials, the directory server compares them with the credentials stored in Oracle Internet Directory. If the credentials match, then the directory server authenticates the user.

Authentication that relies on security credentials stored in a directory other than Oracle Internet Directory is called external authentication. When a user enters her security credentials, the directory server compares them with the credentials stored in the other directory. This is done by using:

• A PL/SQL program that does the external authentication work

• An external authentication plug-in that invokes this PL/SQL program