Nutanix, Inc.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING AUTHENTICATION METHODS FOR SECURE TRANSPORT LAYER COMMUNICATION

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention provides an enhanced authentication system. During operation, the system can obtain, from a remote device of a client, an authentication request prior to the exchange of application layer web traffic associated with a piece of resource protected by the system. The system can then determine, in the authentication request, an indicator indicating whether certificate-based authentication is enforced for the client. If certificate-based authentication is enforced for the client, the system can initiate certificate-based authentication for the client. On the other hand, if certificate-based authentication is not enforced for the client, the system can send information associated with a user interface to the client. The user interface can allow the client to select an authentication method from a set of authentication methods supported by the system.