Using an outside userID and password

[davedr]

We’re ready to buy VB but need to have the user accounts controlled by our current system. It’s an existing database (not MySQL) and not using ldap.

We already have a user database for membership in our site and need to have VB work from that. We have a system set up with another 3rd party vendor where they just accept data from a specific domain and URL and we feed them the userid. Perhaps we could go that route?

Is there a mod out there that already handles this? Is there someone that would take such a project on?

I’m new to VB and know only basic PHP, so if it doesn’t exist already, we’d need to hire someone to help us code it (where to look for those folks?)

[Dismounted]

What are you using if you're not using MySQL? vBulletin can only do as much as PHP can.

[davedr]

External database - Oracle, I think. It's handled by a third party that manages our member directory and other online services (university site)... it's just that thier message board system SUCKS! And VB is, of course, the best around.

What I'm wondering is if there's any type of handshake that can be done between our system and vbulletin.

[TheHeartSmasher]

I don't think there is at the moment. I'd suggest moving all of the students over to MySQL Enterprise so your faculty can enjoy the uncompromisable speed and reliability.

[Dismounted]

PHP can't access Oracle databases by default, you'll have to install custom PHP libraries. Then, of course, there's the need to hire someone to code a database interface layer for vBulletin.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

As this depends greatly on the "other identification system", something will always need to be custom coded for your purpose.

from an Oracle database sure it is possible to create a handshake script that will grab the userid/passwords and cache them so PHP can use that cached data for authentication...

the problem is that the data will have to be updated when someone register or change password on the other system, if your site is very large it can become server intense... remember that vBulletin will authenticate each user for each session... if the cached userid database is enormous you will need a lot of ram on your engine.

for newer systems, there is sometimes translations/bridges between technologies, but if your own system is old, maybe it would be time to upgrade to a more compatible version - when possible - or simply port your old system to a PHP-made system ... sometimes it cost less than keep the old system.