Programming Guides › Programming Guide for C › Agent API › Agent API Overview

Agent API Overview

The Agent API works with the Policy Server to simplify application development and make applications more scalable. Developers creating applications that are built using the Agent API either directly or indirectly (through another agent) are shielded from the following implementation-specific details:

• User namespaces such as LDAP directories, SQL databases, or NT domains
• Authentication methods as simple as user name and password, or as complex as PKI systems
• Authorizations based on group membership, or individual profile data

Additional benefits provided by the Agent API include full session management support, automatic encryption key rollover, and real-time policy updates.