/*
 * Copyright (c) 2003, KNOPFLERFISH project
 * All rights reserved.
 *
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
 * modification, are permitted provided that the following
 * conditions are met:
 *
 * - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
 *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 *
 * - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
 *   copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following
 *   disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials
 *   provided with the distribution.
 *
 * - Neither the name of the KNOPFLERFISH project nor the names of its
 *   contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
 *   from this software without specific prior written permission.
 *
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
 * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
 * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
 * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
 * COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
 * INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
 * (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
 * SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
 * HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
 * STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
 * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED
 * OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 */

package org.knopflerfish.service.um.useradmin;

/**
 * Service for user name/password authentication. 
 *
 * @author  Gatespace AB
 * @version $Revision: 1.1.1.1 $
 */
public interface PasswdAuthenticator {
  /**
   * Tests if it is possible to authenticate the user with the
   * specified username with this authentication method (that
   * there is a user with the specified user name and that the
   * user has a password credential.
   *
   * @param username the username
   * @return true if this authentication method can be used to authenticate
   * the user, false otherwise.
   */
  boolean canAuthenticate( String username );

  /**
   * Creates an authentication session.
   * @return a session.
   */ 
  PasswdSession createSession();
}