Microsoft Digest is a security support provider (SSP) that implements the Digest Access protocol, a light-weight authentication protocol for parties involved in Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or Simple Authentication Security Layer (SASL) based communications.

Microsoft Digest provides a simple challenge response mechanism for authenticating clients. This SSP is intended for use by client/server applications using HTTP or SASL based communications.

Important  Digest authentication is not supported across forests.

The following sections provide information about Microsoft Digest SSP.

• The Digest Access Protocol
• Quality of Protection and Ciphers
• Microsoft Digest Authentication
• IETF Specifications for Microsoft Digest SSP

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Build date: 11/19/2009