[NTLUG:Discuss] website access

[Ed Coates]

On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 rich-lists at multicam.com wrote:

> I need to try and find a solution to my problem. We have several
> websites, all on different machines. One is physically located here in
> our building and the other is located at a webhoster. We provide varying
> levels of access to these sites depending on what category our user is
> in. We sell our products through distributors and each distributor has
> its own group of people who need access to different things. Currently
> we are using .htaccess and frankly it is becoming a nightmare to keep up
> with. I know that you can automate the issuing of usernames/passwords
> for various areas, but have never done it. What are some methods of
> doing this? We are keeping separate copies of .htacess files everywhere
> and every time I add a user, I have to do it in 4-5 places. I got in a
> hurry the other day and inadverteantly wiped out our main .htaccess file
> and desabled access for 1/2 day while I got our webhost to restore it.
> (yes, I know shoulda made a backup b4 messing with it---lesson learned).
> Is there a way for a user to sign up in one place and grant him/her
> access and keep the information centrally located? Something
> semi-automated or fully automated would be great, but I don't know how I
> would control who got access to what without a little manual
> intervention.
>
>
> Richard Humphrey
You could always look into openldap authentication.  It would use one main
server, and you can point it there using the .htaccess files I believe.

Ed