External HTTP Authentication in PHP

Question

Looking to redirect to my university's login page in order to authenticate users with $_SERVER['REMOTE_USER']. Conventionally, I would use an htaccess file to redirect to the login page, but I would like my solution to be completely in PHP. I imagine the start would be...

header('Location:http://login.university.edu');

But I would need to specify the return url, correct? I don't know. I may be completely wrong about this. Any help appreciated.

Bailey Parker · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-27 00:47:59Z

2

This is not possible in PHP or any other language. It would have to be implemented on your university's system. Most university login systems (especially for WiFi login) allow you to add a return url, but you'll need to ask what the name of this parameter is. My guess would be:

header('Location: http://login.university.edu?return='+urlencode('http://www.mysite.com/page.php'));

answered Nov 27, 2011 at 0:47

Bailey Parker

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2 Comments

savinger Over a year ago

Well shucks. What is it that an htaccess file do that PHP can't?

Bailey Parker Over a year ago

Nothing. Other than .htaccess having access to Apache modules. But they won't help you. You'll need to talk to your university about a URL parameter for the return url on their login page.

Bill · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-27 00:52:52Z

2

Careful:

header('Location: http://login.university.edu');
                 ^ space

iirc Header("Location ...") can't specify a query string.

You can use a meta refresh tag of 1 second.

What authentication system does your university use?

edited Nov 27, 2011 at 0:52

answered Nov 27, 2011 at 0:47

Bill

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4 Comments

savinger Over a year ago

A query string? Is that what I'm doing? Sorry, I don't understand what refreshing the page would accomplish for me. My university uses Novell.

Bill Over a year ago

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Query_string Meta refresh: If user is not logged in: print <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=login.myuniversity.com/?return_url=mysite.org/secret">

savinger Over a year ago

Ah, yes, that's kindof helpful.

Bill Over a year ago

Some universities have a central authentication server, and most will provide documentation. So won't hurt to check that out :)

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