Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for providing a user's web service provider's (WSP's) access information to a web service consumer (WSC). In one embodiment, a directory service provider (DSP) receives, from a WSC, a request for a particular user's WSP access information. The request contains identifying information that is associated with the particular user. A repository indicates, for each user, an associated user characteristic. Each user characteristic is associated with a separate template object that indicates one or more WSP instances' access information. In response to receiving the request, the DSP determines, from the repository, the user characteristic that is associated with the particular user. The DSP sends, in a response to the WSC's request, the one or more WSP instances' access information that is indicated in the template object that is associated with the particular user's associated user characteristic. The WSC may use the WSP access information to direct a query to a particular WSP.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically generating web based user interfaces. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for displaying a user interface over a network to a user. The method begins by reading an HTTP request for authentication from a browser associated with the user. The HTTP request comprises credential information associated with the user. Based on the credential information, a first plug-in module from a plurality of plug-in modules is invoked to authenticate the user. Also, each of the plurality of plug-in modules provide similar authentication services. An authentication user interface is dynamically generated based on the HTTP request and configuration properties that are defined by the first plug-in module.