When it comes to accessing a computer system or network, there are two types of login methods – interactive and non-interactive.
Interactive login is a type of login method where a user interacts with the computer system directly through a user interface. This is usually achieved by logging in through a graphical user interface (GUI) or a command line interface (CLI). When a user logs in interactively, they are provided with a session that allows them to interact with the system as if they were physically present at the computer. In other words any time using the keyboard or mouse, are creating input for the computer; and any time something shows on the monitor, a computer is showing output. These are called interactive functions because the computer interacts with user.
To better understand interactive login, let’s consider some examples.
Suppose the user wants to log in to the computer system. The user would typically do this by entering their username and password through the login screen, which would then provide users with access to their desktop environment. From here, a user could interact with the system using a mouse, keyboard, and other input devices. For example, a user could open applications, create files, browse the web, and perform other tasks as needed. This is an example of an interactive login, as a user is directly interacting with the system through the GUI.
Interactive login is accessing a remote system through a terminal. This is often done using the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol, which allows users to securely connect to a remote system over a network. When the user login to a remote system using SSH, the user is provided with a terminal session that allows the user to interact with the remote system as if a user were physically present at the computer. For example, the user could navigate the file system, run commands, edit files, and perform other tasks as needed.
Interactive login can also be used when logging in to a web application. When the user logs in to a web application, the user is typically presented with a login screen that prompts the user to enter their username and password. Once the user has successfully logged in, the user is provided with access to the web application, which allows the user to interact with it through a graphical user interface. For example, the user could create new content, edit existing content, and perform other tasks as needed.
The interactive login authentication process grants users, access when they enter credentials using a local or domain user account for a corresponding login, respectively. The interactive authentication process validates the user’s identity with a security account database on a local computer or directory service on a domain.
Non-interactive login, on the other hand, is a type of login method where a user logs in to a system without interacting with it directly. This is usually done using automated scripts or programs that log in to the system on behalf of the user. When a user logs in non-interactively, they do not have direct access to the system and are usually limited to a specific set of tasks that the script or program is designed to perform. Also says that Non-interactive functions are those that don’t require input like a keyboard and mouse or create output on the monitor.
To better understand non-interactive login, let’s consider some examples.
Now, suppose the user needs to perform a task on a remote system that requires the user to log in. However, the user does not want to manually log in to the system each time user needs to perform a task. In this case, the user could write a script or program that logs into the system on the user’s behalf and performs the task automatically. For example, the user could write a script that logs in to a web server, retrieves data from a database, and then log out. This is an example of a non-interactive login, as the user is not directly interacting with the system. Instead, the script is performing the tasks on the user’s behalf.
One example of non-interactive login is using automated backups. Many backup solutions use non-interactive login to access the files on a system that needs to be backed up. The backup software will typically log in to the system using a predefined set of credentials and then perform the backup process automatically. The user does not need to interact with the backup process, as it is all handled by the automated script or program.
For example, a system administrator might use a script to automatically perform certain maintenance tasks regularly. The script would log in to the system using predefined credentials and then execute the necessary commands to perform the maintenance tasks. The user does not need to interact with the script, as it is all handled automatically.
Many software applications use non-interactive login to automatically download and install updates. When an update is available, the software will log in to the update server using predefined credentials and then download the necessary files. The user does not need to interact with the update process, as it is all handled automatically
Non-interactive authentication happens after an interactive authentication has taken place, during which the user does not input login data but instead uses previously established credentials. A non-interactive user is not a typical user; it is more an access mode that is created with a user account, which is a mechanism where a user does not have to re-enter login credentials when they want to access multiple systems. For example, In Windows, a non-interactive authentication takes place when establishing a secure network connection by an application using the Security Support Provider Interface (SSPI) and security package.
For example, if the user’s computer is set up to automatically connect to the Internet on start-up, this is non-interactive as a user doesn’t have to do anything, and nothing shows up on the monitor. Likewise, computers will check email, install updates, move files, etc – all without any action or knowledge on the user’s part. Since Win-Automation can make changes automatically, without input or output, a Process can be interactive (needing keystrokes or mouse events with or without Macros) or non-interactive depending on the actions it contains. As interactive functions can only work when a user is logged in, only non-interactive Processes can be run when all users are logged out.
In summary, the difference between interactive and non-interactive login methods comes down to whether the user is directly interacting with the computer system or not. Interactive login allows the user to directly interact with the system through a GUI or CLI, while non-interactive login involves automated scripts or programs that perform tasks on behalf of the user. Understanding these differences is important for selecting the appropriate login method based on user needs and requirements.
