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I'm looking for software to run on a linux server that can be used to validate user access to my VB software?

I've developed a program in Visual Basic and would like to distribute it be able to have the software check a linux server to see if the userid that is used to login to the software is both valid AND unique (to prevent duplicate logins). Any suggestion on what I can use? my VB application is a desktop application. The verification software would be on the server on the internet. The users could create their own password... I'd assign userids. I know that something custom could be written, but I'd like to avoid that if there's an off-the-shelf solution.

Public Comments

1. Web-based? LAN only? There are probably a hundred ways to do it, but we'd have to know exactly what you need. Who's going to be putting these logins and passwords in (the user, on the web? Will you need an email sent to tell the user to verify the request to create an account by connecting to a particular URL within a certain amount of time? Or will you be entering them in the database by hand?) It's all in the details.
2. take a look at using openldap
3. Well, it depends. You could use a piece of software called OpenLDAP. Them, connect check the user ids in the Linux box with the standard LDAP protocol from your VB app. You could use a service called NIS. Or heck, you can also use the standard Windows authentication junk. Just set up your Samba on your Linux box to emulate an NT4 server, and you are set. I wouldn't attempt to try an AD server just yet, but you just might succeed. Each option will do. Each option has its advanges and disadvantages. It is your choice at the end.