Patent ID: 7591006

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: registering a web service in a register as an interface of an application server for one or more external client systems for purposes of managing a computer application stored in a container, wherein the web service interface is used in a start up and control framework for the application server; receiving a communication from a first client system at the interface, the communication including a request by the first client system to manage the computer application and including identification information for the first client system, the web service interface including a security function to extract identity information, the identification information of the communication including a domain name and a user name for the first client system; determining if an additional level of security is desired for the interface that is not provided by the web service; and if the additional level of security is desired for the interface, then: obtaining the identification information from the communication, converting the identification information into a format that is compatible with a computer platform for the computer application to be managed, wherein converting the identification information includes generating a searchable identification in the context of the managed computer application by stripping out account information, including the domain name, from the identification information, determining whether the computer application provides authorization for the first client system to manage the computer application by searching the computer application for authentication of the first client system, and if the web service interface is successful in extracting information from the computer application to authenticate the first client system, allowing the first client system to engage in management of the computer application.