Abstract: A computer can be configured to provide seamless access to a proxy server by, upon connection to a computer network, determining whether a proxy server using authentication is connected to the computer network, and then prompting a user of the computer to enter authentication information for that proxy server. This authentication information for the proxy server then can be stored in a manner accessible by applications on the computer to use the authentication information to connection with requests by the applications to access the second computer network. For example, the operating system can store the authentication information. It also can include a module that processes all requests from applications that access the proxy server, and then includes in such requests the stored authentication information.

Abstract: A computer can be configured to provide seamless access to a proxy server by, upon connection to a computer network, determining whether a proxy server using authentication is connected to the computer network, and then prompting a user of the computer to enter authentication information for that proxy server. This authentication information for the proxy server then can be stored in a manner accessible by applications on the computer to use the authentication information to connection with requests by the applications to access the second computer network. For example, the operating system can store the authentication information. It also can include a module that processes all requests from applications that access the proxy server, and then includes in such requests the stored authentication information.

Abstract: A method is presented for selecting an HTTP authentication scheme at a client computer. A request message is sent from the client computer to a server computer to access information on the server computer. In response, the client computer receives a response message from the server computer. The response message includes an HTTP header that includes a first scheme identifier, indicating a first HTTP authentication scheme and a second scheme identifier, indicating a second HTTP authentication scheme. If the client computer does not support the second HTTP authentication scheme, the client computer uses the first HTTP authentication scheme when sending another HTTP message to the server computer. If the client computer supports the second HTTP authentication scheme, the client computer uses the second HTTP authentication scheme when sending another HTTP message to the server computer.

Abstract: A client system and a server system use a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) authentication mode preference header to negotiate an HTTP authentication mode. The client system sends an HTTP request to the server system. In response to the HTTP request, the server system sends an HTTP response to the client system. The HTTP response includes an HTTP authentication mode preference header. The HTTP authentication mode preference header indicates whether a preferred HTTP authentication mode is connection-based HTTP authentication or request-based HTTP authentication. In subsequent HTTP requests to the server system, the client system uses the HTTP authentication mode indicated by the HTTP authentication mode preference header.

Abstract: A method is presented for selecting an HTTP authentication scheme at a client computer. A request message is sent from the client computer to a server computer to access information on the server computer. In response, the client computer receives a response message from the server computer. The response message includes an HTTP header that includes a first scheme identifier, indicating a first HTTP authentication scheme and a second scheme identifier, indicating a second HTTP authentication scheme. If the client computer does not support the second HTTP authentication scheme, the client computer uses the first HTTP authentication scheme when sending another HTTP message to the server computer. If the client computer supports the second HTTP authentication scheme, the client computer uses the second HTTP authentication scheme when sending another HTTP message to the server computer.

Abstract: A client system and a server system use a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) authentication mode preference header to negotiate an HTTP authentication mode. The client system sends an HTTP request to the server system. In response to the HTTP request, the server system sends an HTTP response to the client system. The HTTP response includes an HTTP authentication mode preference header. The HTTP authentication mode preference header indicates whether a preferred HTTP authentication mode is connection-based HTTP authentication or request-based HTTP authentication. In subsequent HTTP requests to the server system, the client system uses the HTTP authentication mode indicated by the HTTP authentication mode preference header.