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Authentication Protocols - Complete Guide

This index provides an organized pathway through all authentication documentation, arranged in a recommended reading order. Follow this guide to build a comprehensive understanding of modern authentication protocols and their implementation.

📚 Quick Navigation​

Core Concepts​

Modern Authentication Overview​

Start here for a foundational understanding of modern authentication approaches

  • Introduction to modern authentication concepts
  • Comparison of traditional vs. modern authentication
  • Security considerations and trade-offs

Authentication Protocols Comparison​

Complete side-by-side comparison of all authentication protocols

  • Feature comparison tables
  • Use case analysis
  • Security and implementation considerations

Authentication Protocols​

OpenID Connect (OIDC) Deep Dive​

Modern authentication for web and mobile applications

  • OIDC architecture and flow
  • Token types and validation
  • Implementation best practices

SAML Deep Dive​

Enterprise authentication standard

  • SAML assertions and bindings
  • Web Browser SSO profiles
  • Security considerations

Kerberos Authentication​

Network authentication protocol

  • Ticket-based authentication system
  • Key Distribution Center (KDC)
  • Integration with enterprise systems

LDAP Authentication​

Directory services authentication

  • Directory structure and principles
  • LDAP bind operations
  • Role-based access control

Integration Examples​

PostgreSQL Authentication Integration​

Integrating authentication protocols with databases

  • Role mapping strategies
  • Connection pooling and security
  • Implementation examples

Implementation Resources​

Implementation Tutorial​

Step-by-step guide to implement authentication

  • Setting up Dex as an identity provider
  • Building a Python application with OIDC
  • Testing authentication flows

README​

Project overview and quick start

  • Project structure
  • Prerequisites
  • Quick start guide

Learning Path Recommendation​

For Beginners​

  1. Start with Modern Authentication Overview
  2. Review the Authentication Protocols Comparison
  3. Follow the Implementation Tutorial

For Intermediate Users​

  1. Explore the protocol deep dives (OIDC, SAML)
  2. Study the PostgreSQL Authentication Integration
  3. Implement the examples in the tutorial

For Advanced Users​

  1. Study all protocol deep dives, including Kerberos and LDAP
  2. Extend the examples with multi-protocol support
  3. Design your own authentication architecture based on the provided materials

Exercises by Protocol​

OpenID Connect (OIDC)​

  • Set up Dex as an OIDC provider
  • Implement OIDC authentication in a Python application
  • Add role mapping based on OIDC claims

SAML​

  • Configure SAML SP metadata
  • Process SAML assertions
  • Implement SAML single logout

Kerberos​

  • Set up KDC and service principals
  • Configure PostgreSQL for Kerberos authentication
  • Implement cross-realm trust

LDAP​

  • Configure OpenLDAP server
  • Create users and groups
  • Implement LDAP authentication in PostgreSQL

This documentation is part of the Authentication Demo project. All materials are designed to provide practical understanding of modern authentication protocols.