Patent ID: 6256739
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
A method of operating an access control system for information retrievable using a communications network, comprising the steps of:receiving at the access control system from a client a first message containing user identity information in accordance with a first protocol, wherein a first network address can be determined from the first message;receiving at the access control system from the client a second message containing an information request in accordance with a second protocol, wherein a second network address can be determined from the second message;determining at the access control system a requesting user identity based on the first network address, the user identity information and the second network address;deciding at the access control system whether to grant the information request based on the requesting user identity; andif the information request was granted, then:retrieving by the access control system the requested information using one of:the communications network; anda cache; andsending by the access control system the retrieved information to the client.