Novell® Application Launcher™ includes an authentication developer hook. You can write your own dynamic link library (DLL) that takes advantage of the Novell Application Launcher hook. In order to implement a Novell Application Launcher authentication hook, you should understand ZENworks® Desktop Management, Novell Application Launcher, and DLL development.
The DLL (typically created in C) must contain the function NWAPPAAuthenticateExtern. The DLL enables you to hook into the zenlite.dll library to authenticate application launches based on the criteria you choose. Novell Licensing Services, ZENworks OnDemand Services™, and other applications use this service to prompt user's input before launching an application.
As a practical example, once authenticated to a network, a user can retain a persistent connection, yet the DLL can be configured to prompt for any specified method (for example, a fingerprint scanner or other biometric device) to quickly reauthenticate if the user temporarily steps away from the workstation. Other examples of how the application hook can be used include the following:
Licensing: You can regulate the number of users of an application. The authentication hook can track the application users in a database or text file and prevent the application from launching when the number of users reaches a predefined limit.
Specialized credentials: You can prompt certain users who access an application for special credentials, such as biometric information.
Application grouping: You can group applications, for example, that require purchase or billing information.
Refer to the following sections for development and implementation guidelines: