Connecting to a database and managing users

1) Introduction

Users play a key role in a MICHAEL database and in the application used to manage its contents. Documents and folders are always owned by a user; modifying these documents or folders is restricted to some users.

Also, it is impossible to use the services of a MICHAEL database with the production module without being identified. Then, the system knows who is accessing data and what are its privileges.

In this document, you will find detailed instructions to connect to a MICHAEL database, to logout, to modify the current user's parameters, but also to create modify and delete users and groups. Please see also the section devoted to user management in the administration guide.

2) Log in and log out

In order to use the services of the MICHAEL platform production module, you first need to log into the system, with a given username and password. Every instance of the production module has its own set of usernames and associated privileges.

Once a user logs in, he has the same set of privileges during all its current session. This session may expire in two circumstances:

• If the user chooses to log out
• If the userr don't access any page in the production module for a certain amount of time, which can be configured on the server, but is usually around 30 minutes.

If the session ends, or if no session has been opened, and the user tries to access one service of the production module, the user is redirected to a log in form. The log in procedure is explained in the getting started guide, along with the log out procedure.

3) User management

User management functionalities let people create users and groups and eventually modify their password. If you are an administrator of the MICHAEL database, you will be able to create new users and to modify existing users. If you are not an administrator of the MICHAEL database, you can only modify your own password.

Administrators: managing all users

The guide for administrators contains all information needed to manage users, along with specific groups of users used in the MICHAEL production module.

Normal users: changing your password

All users can change their own password. To do so, you need to click on the User button in the toolbar at the bottom of the page, as in this figure:

Please note that if you a re an administrator of the MICHAEL database, you won't get this button, but a button to manage all users, as explained in the section above. You will still be able to change your password, among other operations on users.

Once you click on the User button, you will get this form:

You then need to type twice the new password you wish to use. This password must have at least six characters. Once you have typed it twice, you click on the Change user button. The next time you log in, you will need to use this new password.