Explain the working of passport authentication

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First of all it checks passport authentication cookie. If the cookie is not available then the application redirects the user to Passport Sign on page. Passport service authenticates the user details on sign on page and if valid then stores the authenticated cookie on client machine and then redirect the user to requested page.

In an ASP.NET interview, if you’re asked to explain the working of passport authentication, it’s likely referring to the Passport authentication mechanism provided by Microsoft for ASP.NET applications. Passport authentication allows users to authenticate using a centralized authentication service, which is typically a Microsoft Passport Network. Here’s how it generally works:

  1. User Authentication: When a user attempts to access a protected resource on an ASP.NET application, the application redirects the user to the Passport authentication service’s login page.
  2. Passport Authentication Service: The Passport authentication service prompts the user to enter their credentials (username and password). This service then authenticates the user against its database or network directory.
  3. Authentication Ticket: If the user’s credentials are valid, the Passport authentication service issues an authentication ticket or token, which signifies that the user has been successfully authenticated.
  4. Return to Application: The authentication ticket is returned to the ASP.NET application. The application uses this ticket to grant access to the requested resource.
  5. Access Granted: Once the ASP.NET application receives the authentication ticket from the Passport service and verifies its authenticity, it grants access to the protected resource to the user.
  6. Session Management: The ASP.NET application typically maintains a session for the authenticated user, allowing them to access multiple resources within the application without needing to re-authenticate for each request.

It’s worth noting that Microsoft Passport Network was primarily used for authentication in earlier versions of ASP.NET. In modern ASP.NET applications, developers might use other authentication mechanisms such as ASP.NET Identity, OAuth, or OpenID Connect, which offer more flexibility and integration options with various identity providers. Therefore, it’s important to understand the historical context of Passport authentication but also be familiar with more contemporary authentication methods in ASP.NET.