A mechanism for seeking access of a client to a first server is described. The mechanism involves determining that a client seeking access to the first server is not authenticated by an authentication server. The mechanism further involves communicating a request for login information to be returned to the second server from the client. Login information is received at the authentication server from the client. The client is authenticated by comparing the login information with authentication information maintained by the authentication server. When the login information matches the authentication information, a user authentication indicator is generated at the authentication server and the user sends the authentication indicator to the first server.