# Login and Authentication
This guide will walk you through the login, authentication, and account creation process in the Comserv system.
## Creating an Account
Before you can log in, you need to create an account:
1. Navigate to the Comserv registration page at `/user/register` or click "Create Account" on the login page
2. Fill in the required information:
- Username (must be unique)
- Password (minimum 8 characters, including letters and numbers)
- Email address (used for password recovery)
- First and last name
3. Select your role (if applicable, or default "user" role will be assigned)
4. Click the "Create Account" button
5. You'll receive a confirmation message and can now log in with your new credentials
## Logging In
1. Navigate to the Comserv login page at `/user/login`
2. Enter your username and password
3. Click the "Login" button
4. After successful login, you'll be redirected to:
- The page you were trying to access before being redirected to login
- The page specified in the `return_to` parameter (if provided)
- The home page (if no specific redirect is available)
## Authentication Methods
Comserv supports several authentication methods:
- Standard username/password authentication
- LDAP integration (for enterprise deployments)
- Single Sign-On (SSO) for integrated environments
## Password Management
### Changing Your Password
1. Log in to your account
2. Navigate to your profile settings
3. Select "Change Password"
4. Enter your current password and your new password twice
5. Click "Save Changes"
### Password Recovery
If you've forgotten your password:
1. Click the "Forgot Password" link on the login page
2. Enter your email address
3. Check your email for password reset instructions
4. Follow the link in the email to reset your password
5. Create a new password and confirm it
6. Click "Reset Password"
## Session Management
- Your session will automatically expire after 30 minutes of inactivity
- You can manually log out by clicking the "Logout" button in the top navigation bar
- When you log out, you'll be redirected to an appropriate page based on your current context
- The system preserves site-specific information even after logout
## Role-Based Access
Comserv implements role-based access control:
- **User**: Basic access to general features
- **Admin**: Full administrative access to the system
- **Developer**: Access to development and debugging tools
- **Site-specific roles**: Access to specific site functionality
Your available features and navigation options will depend on your assigned roles.
## Security Best Practices
- Use a strong, unique password with a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters
- Don't share your login credentials with others
- Log out when you're finished using the system, especially on shared computers
- Change your password regularly (recommended every 90 days)
- Be cautious when accessing the system from public networks
- Check that you're on the correct domain before entering credentials
## Troubleshooting Login Issues
If you encounter problems logging in:
1. Verify your username and password are correct
2. Check if Caps Lock is enabled
3. Clear your browser cache and cookies
4. Try using a different browser
5. If you still can't log in, use the password recovery option
6. Contact your system administrator if problems persist