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Connect applications with single-sign-on to build communities

Single-sign-on with open source

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Bugfix for NuSOAP. Cookie was not set correctly, small security changes. Location field check is now changed to 100 characters since the field is synchronized with phpBB location. The latter allows only 100 characters. Physically the length of the field is not changed, so no data will be broken.

Today communities are more than just a board. So far there is a big challenge if you do not want to use commercial solutions and look for the integration of all needed modules as open source products. On this project I try to make integration of open source CMS, Forum, Blog, Chat and Gallery as a single sign on (SSO) solution. “Single sign-on (SSO) is a method of access control that enables a user to authenticate once and gain access to the resources of multiple software systems.” I use this solution for my community projects. In other words: if user registers with this module, he will be automatically registered with CMS, board, blog, gallery and chat as well. He needs only one login form to login into all application.

This are the components:

Content Management System CMS Made Simple
Forum Solution phpBB3
Blogging Platform LifeType
Picture Gallery Coppermine
Instant Messaging System Php Free Chat

The basic idea which stands behind my solution is simple. It uses SOAP protocol to register, login and logout users in all integrated applications at once. So all the actions related to gaining and control access are directed to soap server. "Soap Server" is just a set of php clasess which are delivered with this module. However you will need to enable soap extension in your php.

single-sign-on You can find a complete guidance how the integration is made in the documentation.

The open source projects already integrated were chosen because I use them in my projects and because they are well-known projects with an amazing big number of participants who are helping to develop and improve the software continually. Thus the development and new releases are guaranteed in future. For the reason that there is almost no need to change the code of the applications (with the exception of a very small change documented) this applications stay upgradable. There is no limitation in this solution. You can connect every application this way if you are able to write PHP SOAP Server for it. Just look into the code made for other products and try out.

The owner of the community has the possibility to activate the applications he wants to integrate in the project in simple Admin Panel. The module can so be adapted for the current needs.

For the site visitor a personal area can be created where all settings for his account can be done. A self service password management is integrated - if the user forgets his password, he can reset it in this module and it will be reseted in all integrated applications as well.

iCMSUser Module is made for the administrators of communities who have already more than just lowest basic knowledge in internet programming. When you have got any problems with the connection of the applications, please ask in the forum in order to be helped. A lot of users will be grateful if they have got the same problem as you have and can read the support of another user. This project is not commercial and lives on the fact that as much persons as possible take part. Please be sure for the fact that I do not offer a free support except for nonprofit organizations and animal shelters.