An enterprise computing
environment usually contains a collection of business software solutions
that are sold as a platform, and applied across an organization and
further customized to specific areas. Platform services come with
their own authentication processes and password management systems.
When SPD Server is added to such an environment, it brings its own
authentication process and password management system, which means
the administrator has to maintain two sets of user IDs, one for SPD
Server and another for the platform services. Additionally, disparate
user ID and password management tools can have incongruous requirements.
For example, SPD Server password lengths must be 6–8 characters
in length, whereas the password length requirements for a given enterprise
platform can range anywhere from 6 characters to 64 or more characters,
allowing for stronger passwords.
One solution is to leave
all SPD Server authentication to the enterprise platform. By integrating
SPD Server user IDs and passwords with the framework of the platform's
authenticator, the SPD Server administrator must maintain only one
set of user IDs and passwords.