This class encapsulates an authentication cache which associates usernames with client IP addresses. The association between a username and an IP address is valid only until the specified timeout. Caching the authentication results means that the users do not need to authenticate themselves for every request: it is assumed that the same user is using the computer within the timeout. E.g.: once authenticated for an HTTP service, the client can browse the web for Timeout period, but has to authenticate again to use FTP.

To use a single authorization cache for every service request of a client, set the service_equiv attribute to TRUE. That way Vela does not make difference between the different services (protocols) used by the client: after a successful authentication the user can use all available services without having to perform another authentication. E.g.: if this option is enabled in the example above, the client does not have to re-authenticate for starting an FTP connection.