External database authentication

Location: Settings link in Administration > Users > Authentication

This method uses an external database table to check whether a given username and password is valid. If the account is a new one, then information from other fields may also be copied across into Moodle.

This is done by mapping fields at the bottom of the database authentication page. Each data field in the user profile has a text field next to it. Enter the name of the column in the external database that maps to the profile data field.

Update Local - Specifies that the external data will be entered into the local field in question

• On Creation - specifies that this will only happen on the original login when the account is created for the first time.
• On Every Login - specifies that changes in the external data will be updated on the local Moodle field in question the next time the user logs in again.

Update External - Specifies just the opposite, meaning changes in the local Moodle field in question will update the corresponding field in the external database

• Never - Specifies this is disabled
• On Update - Enables this to happen if a change is made locally (additional configuration is probably required)

Lock Value - Only determines whether the local user can make a change in the Moodle field and does not affect the two settings above.

• Unlocked - A user can make changes locally in the Moodle field (assumably even if it contradicts the external database the next login would change it again if Update Local is set
• Locked - A user can never make changes
• Unlocked if empty - A user can only make changes if the field is not populated already from the external database (this would seem to indicate a user could only enter something into this field once and could not change it after saving)

See also

• Using Moodle Special and characters con tilde (accute accent) when connected to external database forum discussion
• Using Moodle HELP!--User Authentication problem forum discussion