Authentication

Location: Administration > Users > Authentication

User authentication is about enabling people to login to your Moodle site.

Authentication methods

Authentication methods (also known as authentication plugins) include:

• Manual accounts - accounts created manually by an administrator
• No login - suspend particular user account
• Email-based self-registration - for enabling users to create their own accounts
• CAS server (SSO) - account details are located on an external CAS server
• External database - account details are located on an external database
• FirstClass server - account details are located on an external FirstClass server
• IMAP server - account details are located on an external IMAP server
• LDAP server - account details are located on an external LDAP server
• Moodle Network authentication - how different Moodle sites can connect and authenticate users
• NNTP server - account details are located on an external NNTP server
• No authentication - for testing purposes only
• PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) - account details come from the operating system Moodle is running on, via PAM (can only be used Linux/Unix).
• POP3 server - account details are located on an external POP3 server
• RADIUS server - account details are located on an external RADIUS server
• Shibboleth - account details are located on an external Shibboleth server
• NTLM/Integrated Authentication (contributed plugin prior to Moodle 1.9; is part of the LDAP authentication plugin from 1.9 onwards).

The authentication method is set in Administration > Users > Authentication > Manage authentication (or Administration > Users > Authentication prior to Moodle 1.9)

See also

• Manage authentication
• Authentication FAQ
• Multi authentication in Upgrading to Moodle 1.8
• Using Moodle User authentication forum
• Using Moodle Do users need e-mail addresses? forum discussion
• Using Moodle Admin approving self registrations? forum discussion